Something to think about.
Years ago you could look into the engine room of any reputable merchant ship and find a Scotsman or two and maybe some expats. Look now and you will mainly find Phillipino and other Indo easterners.
Why?
Because the companies found they could pay the Easterners less than the Brits and other expats. Gradually the Brits and other expats were replaced. In the ROV industry, which is no longer the preserve of Yanks and Brits but going global like the merchant shipping industry. do you think the companies are going to keep expensive expats if they can find cheaper Easteners to do the same job for less money? You think these companies have loyalty towards expensive you? They definitely have loyalty to their shareholders and bank balances though.
I would be careful to shout down the disparity in rates and say that if they are not happy with the rates they can negotiate a better rate. Remember that the eastern cultures do not easily oppose authority and its easy for a westerner to abuse them. This could lead to the demise of the high pay ROV industry for the same reason European and American factories have moved to China to take advantage of cheap labour.
By the way, do you realise that the companies that are paying the expats more and the Easterners less on the same system are charging the client the same for each guy on the same scale? If they charged the client less for the Easterner I could understand but they’re not.
What happened to the great British and American principles of equal pay for equal work? Or do I detect arrogance, prejudice and greed?
