Indian students in Australia brave adversities amid covid-19 crisis

Australian government’s grant of accessibility to superannuation funds and extension of working hours for certain students bring in much-needed succour, but going is still tough for Indian students stuck in Australia, writes Devashish Chakraborty.

Due to the economic and social fallouts of Covid-19 crisis, Australians are scrambling to make ends meet as unemployment rises. One of the hardest hit is the international students’ community, which is, literally, stranded in Australia. Numerous Indian students, who form a substantial part of this community, are facing many grave hardships due to financial constraints. Most of the university students have to juggle their studies with odd jobs to meet their daily expenses, but with many services and industries shutting shop due to the lockdown restrictions, those working there have been left in the lurch.

As India has also closed its borders and cancelled all domestic and international flights since putting into place what is being touted as one of the harshest nationwide lockdowns globally on March 25th, these students are left with not even the recourse of returning to their home country. Their hopes of resorting to this recourse were further dashed when the Indian government decided to extend the 21-day lockdown, which was scheduled to end on April 14th, to May 3rd.

To make matters worse for the Indian students, as reported in the economictimes.com, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on April 3rd that foreign students were not considered as being eligible for any financial assistance from the government because as per the clauses of their visa arrangements, it was a pre-requisite condition that they should be able to support themselves financially for a year after arriving in Australia.

Indian students account for the second highest number among the foreign students in Australia

Some assurances to relieve foreign students in dire straits

According to reports published in thepienews.com and SBS News, the Prime Minister’s announcement notwithstanding, the Acting Immigration Minister, Alan Trudge has given a statement assuring students that there is respite for international students who have been in Australia for more than 12 months. He said that for such students who are facing financial adversities the government has made a special provision under which they are eligible to withdraw funds from their superannuation account.

Superannuation is a provision for international students working in Australia having a monthly income of $450 or above. According to the Australian law, it is usually a statutory requirement for every employer to set up and contribute 9.5% of the salaries paid, into the superannuation accounts for employees who are temporary visa holders with work permit. These funds may be invested in lucrative investment options so that the account holders can earn profits on them. Under normal circumstances, the accumulated funds in this mandatory retirement savings account are accessible to the holders only when leaving Australia.

Acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances and the plight of the foreign students, Alan Trudge asserted that applications for the premature release of the pension program (superannuation) funds would be accepted through the official government website from April 20. This much-awaited move came as succour to the thousands of foreign students with work permit who have lost considerable number of working hours in the wake of the lockdown, especially as many were literally weeks away from being rendered homeless.

The Education Minister, Dan Tehan, also released a statement saying that the government is continuously working with the universities and the international education sector to come up with effective ways to assist the international students.

Requesting on behalf of the 570,000 foreign students, the Queensland International Education and Training Advisory Group has sent an open letter to the Australian Prime Minister soliciting him to commence a National Hardship Fund for the students. The group feels that it is incumbent on the government to support them since they have been ruled out to access the various welfare schemes such as the new Jobkeeper funding launched for Australian citizens.

Most of the university students have to juggle their studies with odd jobs to meet their daily expenses

In spite of this, as reported in SBS Punjabi, many Indian students feel that foreign students have been given a raw deal. Amit Jadaun, the coordinator from Victoria for the Federation of Indian Associations Australia, who is in charge for assimilating information about Indian students.

But ingeminating the Australian PM’s stance, the Acting Immigration Minister also emphasised that for those who find it impossible to fend for themselves in the next six months (it is likely that the lockdown might extend for the said period), it is advisable to return to their home country.

Mixed reactions of Indian students

Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell assured parents in India that Indian students would be protected and their welfare looked after during the crisis

Australia’s High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell, while speaking to Indian television network CNBC-TV18, acknowledged the significant contribution that Indian students make to the Australian community and economy. He also said that Indian students would be protected and their welfare looked after during the global crisis. Furthermore, he also shared the information that Deakin University, where numerous Indian students are enrolled, has committed itself to spending as much as $25 million on international students having little financial support.

In spite of this, as reported in SBS Punjabi, many Indian students feel that foreign students have been given a raw deal. Amit Jadaun, the coordinator from Victoria for the Federation of Indian Associations Australia, who is in charge for assimilating information about Indian students facing financial problems, feels that granting access to super funds is not an all-encompassing measure which would sufficiently safeguard all the students. Even among those who do have access, there are many who do not have enough funds to fall back on since they were not able to accumulate much or have lost their funds which were invested due to the slump in the financial market.

Besides, raising the standard working hours for temporary visa holders with work permit to earn money is an option limited to only those working in essential sectors. Many are also worried about their uncertain future in the country as in the aftermath they would be left with little savings. Those who have been laid off see no light at the end of the tunnel as their departure from the country is a foregone conclusion and it is highly likely that their enrolments could be cancelled.

Despite a slew of measures that have been taken by the Australian government and the solidarity shown by the multicultural community in Australia, critics believe that enough has not been done for the international students. Indian students, who account for the second highest number among the foreign students, have irrefutably proved themselves as invaluable assets for the country and therefore, critics are of the opinion that more must be expected from the government.

Lockdown has brought thousands of Indian students in Australia on the verge of being homeless