A recent survey conducted by Ma Foi Randstad has found that the young Indians like to work abroad and that too without any increase in the pay in the case of jobs that they think that suits them.

The Workmonitor Survey 2011- Wave4

The Workmonitor Survey 2011- Wave4, which is conducted by Ma Foi Randstad, observes that about 60 per cent of the workforce in India with higher education is ready to go abroad for a job that suits them, even if pay remains same. The survey is carried out quarterly to evaluate the mental mobility status of the workforce.

The survey also observed that 39% of the workforce with low level of education is willing to go abroad for a job that suits then even without hike in the salary.

Gender wise, the survey observes that 79 percent of men which forms a larger proportion are willing to move abroad for a job that offers higher pay as compared to women who forms 65 percent.

The MD and Chief Executive Officer of Ma Foi Randstad, E Balaji say that the organizations will be faced with a major challenge of finding and retaining the right kind of talent in the years to follow. As a result of advancements in technology, most of the conventional systems such as eight hour office time and control approach are rapidly disappearing and influencing the work styles and approach to work.

The increase in the number of employment opportunities have brought about a huge change in the mindsets of the young working class, for whom money is a major motivating factor along with other factors such as flexibility at work place, the right organizational culture, challenging tasks, career growth and a superior with inspirational approach towards work.

Mr. Balaji  adds that the organizations should put in effort to reorient their work culture to cater to the changing needs of the employees in order to stay on top in the hunt for talent, which will attain importance to maintain their position in the market place.

The major findings of the survey

The survey has found that India continues to be in the top in terms of mobility index with a score 144 in comparison to other nations. The findings of the survey are similar to the findings of the previous 8 surveys which were performed since the first quarter of 2010.

Luxembourg scored the least in terms of mobility index. Germany and Italy followed with lower levels of mobility index.

The survey has found that about 45 % of the employees give importance to focus on promotion, while 34% of the employees give importance to doing something different. These findings are similar in the case of all workgroups based on income, gender, etc.

Another finding is that employees gives more preference to moving ahead to a higher position based on current experience than moving into a role which is completely different from their current role. The survey has also found that 81 per cent of the men like to work after their age of retirement and in the case of women to a similar proportion which amounted to 74 per cent likes to work after the age of retirement.

In terms of employee confidence, India scored the lowest after Greece, with the number of employees who are confident about finding another job in the next 6 months decreasing.

In the case of personal motivation, the survey has found out that the highly ambitious employees are found in Turkey and Italy along with India and Mexico. Outside the Europe, India and Mexico ranks high in employee satisfaction.

Indians employees will return after 6 to 12 months

According to Surabhi Mathur-Gandhi, Vice President (IT sourcing) at Teamlease services, most of the employees out of the 60 per cent will want to work outside India for a period of 6 months to 12 months.Surabhi adds that it does not mean that Indian employees want to migrate to a foreign country. As a result of the global financial crisis, India had witnessed a back flow of Indian talents from the west to India after 2008; but now the survey observes that Indian employees do like to get global exposure in their profession.

The Role of Information Technology

In India, the information technology sector which emerged during the early 2000s has opened up a sea of opportunities for the Indian youth belonging to the middle class. It has brought opportunities for them to go abroad as a part of their job. With more challenging work coming India’s way the situation had changed. Now the main reason why most of the young employees want to go abroad is not because of the quality of the work in India but they want to have a change in lifestyle. Indian youth wants to taste the lifestyle in the western countries.

Employees in countries such as Denmark and Switzerland responded that they do not want to move abroad for jobs even if they are presented with a hike in the pay.

Indians want a change in lifestyle

According to Sunil Goel, Director, GlobalHunt, even though the compensation packages in India have increased and is in par with the global standards, young Indian employees want to move abroad to have a feel of the foreign culture and get more exposure in terms of their profession. Getting a job in the west is a dream comes true for the young Indian employees since they are very much attracted by the improved lifestyle and better infrastructure.

These findings are made in a time when India is making steady progress with a fast growing economy in the world. The job opportunities in India in various sectors are increasing and it is a time when most of the non resident Indians is planning to come back to India and settle in their home land. Let us hope that what Surabhi said about the young Indian professionals will come true, i.e. they will come back to India after a period of six months to twelve months.