Abroad On My Mind

Savio Rodrigues, Mumbai

How would any young gun from the hospitality industry answer this question: if given an opportunity to work abroad in a similar position, what would you choose? Chances are, in nine out of 10 cases, the individual will tell you that it’s ‘Abroad On My Mind’. The ostensible reasons are better growth prospects and international experience. But what actually lies behind the phenomenon is always the ‘M’ factor - Money.

And I don’t think we can blame them for their aspirations, considering a lot of talent, not just in hospitality, leave India to seek greater fortunes.

As an example, let’s consider an advertisement in a leading ‘Appointments’ tabloid - ‘Wanted, Master Chefs for a Four-Star Hotel in Dubai, Salary US$ 1,500 (approximately Rs 70,000 per month)’ and a similar advertisement for the Indian market - ‘Wanted Master Chef for a Four Star Hotel in Mumbai - South Indian Cuisine, Salary Rs 15,000’.

What option do you think the prospective chefs preferred? Obviously, the one abroad. Imagine doing the same work, in the same strenuous environment, with similar growth prospects (and likewise job uncertainty), but being paid a lot more money. The response from the job aspirant would be simple - it makes sense to make more money.

Take a waiter, who earns a mere Rs 3,000 plus tips amounting to Rs 5,000. If he chooses to work in a Gulf country, what is in store is about AED 1,000 (around Rs 13,000) plus food and accommodation. After some years in the country, he would have made enough to return to India and enjoy a favourable standard of living, both for himself and family.

The anonymous author of the phrase ‘The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side’ seems to have got it right, when it comes to Indian hospitality.

What can the industry do to stem the loss of talent? Either it has to improve payment scales, incentives and job perks or, of course, rely on the ever growing population to fill in the vacancies.

The former course would be the more enlightened one, if one is looking at quality. Scores of Indians are returning back to work in industries like information technology. This reverse brain drain is a direct result of the standard of employment which the Indian IT sector is offering.

If the hospitality and tourism industry works towards creating a ‘Feel Good Factor’ within its sector, it too will witness a change. Otherwise, they can ruminate over this song written by a patriotic young chef, leaving to work in Dubai;

All my bags are packed
I’m ready to go
To a place of fortune
Where I am sure to grow

Working in India was fun
But, I have a house to run
So while costs of living run high
The pay pack is a sigh

So I shall cook up a steak
For some oil-rich sheikh
Make good money while I can
And return a wealthy man