Doing the dishes was never fun abroad! : Experiences of migrant dishwashers in tourism and hospitality sector

Abstract: This thesis is at the intersection of migration and labour in tourism and the hospitality sector. Empirically, this study explores the experiences of well-trained migrant dishwashing employees (DE) in restaurants in Copenhagen, Denmark and aims to understand their motivation for migration. They, while acquiring hospitality sector experience, struggle beyond the workplace to fulfill their intentions of long term settlement. The study explores how they face resistance to labour market access and participation based on their skills and experience. The focus of this qualitative study is on the highly skilled Green card Holders (GCH) of Denmark, majority of who are stuck as DE in the restaurant industry. This master thesis argues about the challenges of employability, underutilization of foreign education credentials and work-life struggle. A sizable proportion of GCH have managed to find jobs and are working as DE. Qualified professionals like IT specialists, teachers, accountants, and engineers face unanticipated challenges that are explained through open-ended unstructured interviews with GCH. These professionals are still working as DE or have left the Danish labour market. Further, this thesis explores how these DE are struggling to lead the routine life of an expat. I have discussed the significance of job satisfaction as blue- collar employees in the host country and compared it with white-collar job experience from their respective home countries. GCH migrants from Asian countries in Denmark have come under the spotlight during this study. This study provides unique insights from their experience as a DE, exploitation of human capital flight, feelings of humiliation and discrimination of GCH despite being well trained employed back home. Highlighting some of the challenges as a migrant DE, it makes a strong case for reviewing national policy towards them.