What now, TARP?

Just another bad news for international students looking for jobs in this season of recession..

The Troubled Assets Relief Program aka TARP, is currently the largest component of the U.S. government's measure to address subprime mortgage crisis. Example (recently) famous companies under the program are AIG, Bank of America, Citigroup, GM, Chrysler and so on..

Early this week the U.S. Senate has approved several rules on hiring H-1B,
(H1-B: non-immigrant VISA to be able to work in the US)

The rules are as follow:

1. If your company has been laying off people, you can't hire H-1B.
2. Can't outsource H1-B.
3. Initiate to hire Americans.
4. Simple, no TARP money if don't follow these rules.

Very straight forward rules. Basically, just don't consider international students, ignore their applications, put aside their resumes. Sad case.

I'm not sure how these rules came across their minds during this time of the season. Are companies that are hiring, taking advantage of H1-B dudes lately? Or maybe, vice versa? There are many approach to attend recession, and many other actions to be considered too but why la attack international talents?

It makes sense. Malaysia's unemployment rate is approx 3.5%, and I'm seeking a job in a country of 7.6% unemployment rate. TARP's action hopes to recover U.S. current economy, while making an effort to create as many job openings as possibler for locals. How about your citizens looking for jobs in other countries? Has TARP made any effort collecting local talents currently overseas?

It's getting harder to secure a job in the U.S. for people like me now. Like I say, just another bad news.

Craving for a delicious curry laksa filled with big prawns, juicy tou pok, and curry chicken. Craving for something I want, cause I know it's good. But it seems to be very rare over here now. I'm gonna go find it.