Another blog by Boh Tong the ex- SIA cabin crew: Melbourne also has many foreign workers

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Melbourne also has many foreign workers




Like Singapore, Melbourne has numerous foreign workers especially the unskilled ones from China, Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries.
I was in Melbourne not too long ago and was surprised at the number of foreign workers in the city.
The cab driver who took me from the airport to my hotel was a guy from one of the Middle Eastern countries.
During my departure from the hotel a week later, the cab driver was from India. He told me he was on a student visa of some sort. We didn't talk much.

Wherever, I went in the city especially the cafes and restaurants, the waiters and waitresses were either  from China or the countries I mentioned above.
What beats me was that instead of the usual Italians or Greeks migrants serving Italian/Greek food, the Chinese were doing it (I have not been to Melbourne since I stopped flying 12 years ago). You will find Indians selling Chinese food at the eateries or cafes.
Many years ago whenever I visited Melbourne, the Australians were the cab drivers. The restaurants, bars,eateries were manned by the Australians. The Chinese restaurants were owned and run by the Australian Chinese. But it's kind of different now. I am not saying it's a bad thing to have these foreign workers. Perhaps, like Singapore Australia now faces a shortage of these unskilled workers.

4 comments:

BookLover said...

The Australian drivers work for mining companies make two to three times the income of taxi drivers. Taxi drivers are all from India and very close knitted. If you are not an Indian, it will be next to impossible to be a taxi driver.

Boh Tong aka Luke Tan said...

Thanks for the info BL. I never thought the Aussies working in the mines are that well paid.

G said...

Hi Uncle Boh Tong,

I be going to Melbourne this Nov. What are some great attractions you strongly recommend? Also what time do most of the shops close? I be going alone to explore the arts museums and natures and also shopping. Also which hotel did u stay and how much it cost?

Boh Tong aka Luke Tan said...

I stayed in the city so don't know much about the attractions. Shops closed around 8 or 9 pm. I stayed at the Travel Lodge which cost about A$150 a night. It wasn't comfortable as the heater did not work.