After service of nearly 6 years in Richa Global Exports, Gurgaon, Ashok Kumar recently joined as IE Manager, Noble Apparel, LLC Jordan. Now his professional circle is approaching him to support them in finding a job overseas. In fact, it can be called an increasing trend. In a candid discussion with Apparel Online, many professionals, especially the technical mid-level management and consultants supporting such professionals for overseas jobs, shared that they want to join an overseas factory rather than working in India, specially factories in Vietnam and some African (AGOA) countries, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
According to industry belief, as Indian apparel companies are facing stagnation and profitability under huge pressure, the salary of professionals is not increasing as per their expectation and hence, they are on the look-out for better overseas options. The Indian companies are forced to increase the wage of workers twice in a year, so they only have the option of not increasing the salary of mid-level professionals. And it is not only about more money and international exposure. There are many reasons behind this. “A big difference is in the working culture and that too at all levels. While working in Mauritius and Jordan, I observed that workers in these countries work completely on SAM (Standard Allowed Minutes) and they respect every minute. That’s how they achieve high efficiency. Most of the companies are very much involved in social activities for their workers,” says Ashok. As of now, seven of his friends are working in overseas in different countries. Ashok further added that for an IE person having 4 years of experience, his company offers salary of US $ 850 per month, air ticket, accommodation, and 3 times food. “Here, we don’t have any extra expenses and can save a major part of our salary which is not possible in India,” he avers.
Many young and experienced professionals share that comfortable and positive working environment is a big advantage of working in overseas factories, as most Indian factories have excessive working hours and target pressures. In fact, in some countries, the infrastructure is quite advanced as compared to India and professionals who get an opportunity to work there get to learn more than their counterparts in India, during their tenure. Of course, money is also a huge motivation, especially for freshers. “Most of the professionals invest a lot of money in their education, so instead of earning 20k to 30k per month in their first job, they go overseas where they get lumpsome salary, and keep on raising their income,” says Rahul Dev Gautam, IE Executive, Blackberrys, Gurgaon.
In India, medium-level companies strongly believe in ‘hire and fire’ policy for middle-level management, which is quite unfair for young entrants, says a professional who does not want to be quoted. “Job security, monetary benefits, overall improved environment for health and safety, amicable work culture, positive mindset of staff and management and new technology are some of the factors that attract all to give priority to overseas job,” reasons Narender Verma, IE Head, Boutique International, Noida, summing up the general opinion of most professionals.
“On a broader perspective, grass is not all that green in most of the countries for Indian professionals. Only Ethiopia is a country where some opportunities are more for Indian professionals compared to Bangladesh, Myanmar, or any other such country. Bangladesh has developed its own talent in the last five years and training facilities have also increased there. Few other countries do not have new and bigger projects. In some countries where there are projects, these are supported by Chinese or Korean companies and they prefer their own professionals rather than Indians. Apart from personal reasons, Indian talent comes back because after few years of service abroad, they start seeing stagnation there and salaries don’t get hiked much. I would personally suggest professionals to stick to India and prove themselves in their existing organization. When overseas companies have to reduce a layer of fat, they prefer to push Indians to quit and do not even renew their contracts,” shares Nimish Dave, Founder & CEO, The Idea Smith, Gurgaon.
A veteran of the industry, Rajkumar Rai, Garment Industry Expert for Transformation Triggering Facility (TTF) project of Ministry of Industry/ETIDI, Government of Ethiopia, believes that better pay and experience from exposure to testing times, attracts Indian professionals to overseas opportunities. Not denying the better pay facility, it also depends upon the company size and country, and supply and demand factor. The cost of living and local tax structure are the other vital parameters to be taken into account. After serving for almost 25 years as a GM at Interconti Projects, Rajkumar shifted to Ethiopia about two-and-a-half years ago.
On the other hand, there is a contradictory view, especially regarding the issues that are being faced by Indian professionals working overseas, which sometimes force them to come back and settle again in India. “Language and comparatively less technical qualification/experience as compared to professionals from other countries, especially the Sri Lankan experts, often creates hurdle for Indian professionals working abroad.”
Overseas companies/factories expect leadership qualities, while it is often lacking in majority of Indian professionals and is not easy to be acquired when you are working abroad,” says GK Sood, MD of Delhi-based Universal Management Consultant who is very much into meeting the placements needs of professionals around the world. He further added that even some successful professionals do come back to India after their overseas job as their contract doesn’t get renewed due to various reasons, but their money target gets achieved. In most of the countries, good school education is a very costly affair and after few years, they face some social issues too which pushes professionals to make a comeback to India.