Low-paid jobs risk depression among skilled immigrants

Australia, 8th August: Immigrating to a nation and not finding job in the chosen field of expertise could lead to depression among migrants.

This has been revealed by the findings of a recent study under by the University of Western Australian researchers.

Overqualified migrants likely to be depressed—Mental health problems including depression have a high probability among skilled immigrants moving to Australia but not finding suitable jobs even after three years.

The findings of the study by the WAIMR (Western Australian Institute for Medical Research) further maintain that working at jobs below their educational levels are a significant factor behind an increasing percentage of migrant suffering from mental health problems in Australia.

Skilled migrants compelled to work on low paid jobs--Majority of newly arrived skilled immigrants forming part of the study admitted working on low paid jobs. This means their skill sets and qualifications remain unutilized or underutilized even after three years period.

Immigrants often face difficulties in getting work in Australia. And delays n getting their foreign credentials recognized in Australia adds to their woes. So, in such a scenario, they say they don’t have any option but to take up any job after their arrival in Australia to pay for their immigration expenses, reveals Alison Reid, an associate professor with WAIMR.

Some of the common jobs taken by migrants after their arrival in Australia include working as laborers, waiters, cleaners, factory workers, taxi drivers, etc. And a harrowing fact is that majority of migrants undertaking the above mentioned jobs in Australia include engineers or those having university education, Professor Reid affirms.

Skilled migration—Skilled migration scheme helps in selecting foreigners with requisite skill-sets and educational qualifications and/or work experience to work in Australia.

Every year, a large number of immigrants come to Australia under skilled immigration program. Such immigrants are of vital help in fulfilling skilled shortages.

Support programs needed for improvement-- Selection criteria for Australian skilled migration program is based on factors including age, qualifications, work experience and language proficiency, adds Reid.

However, the apathy is that skill sets of majority of skilled migrants remain unutilized leading to mental disorders among them.

So, the need of the hour is to provide mentoring, employment training and supervision to help newcomers get jobs in accordance with their education and skill levels, the study affirms.