Getting a Proper Job

Global Workplace
By Amanda Carter

Spouses to get permits to work abroad
20th June 2001 saw the launch of Permits Foundation, a body dedicated to promoting access to employment worldwide for the spouses of expatriate executives. Amanda Carter reports.More than 50 per cent of women across all age groups work in their home country; as many as 70-80 per cent under the age of 35. This percentage drops dramatically when women and a growing number of men accompany their partners on overseas assignments. This is usually because they are unable to work in their host country due to the local work permit regulations. In some cases, spouses are happy to take a career break, but for most spouses the issue is critical in the decision to accept an overseas posting. 'Will my wife/husband be able to work?' is the question more and more potential assignees are asking at the outset. If the answer is no, this jeopardises the ability of the organisation to find a suitable candidate.

'It is essential that these men and women feel they can take expatriate posts which offer fair employment prospects to their spouses too,' said Jan Schaapsmeerders, Chairman of Permits and CEO, Shell People Services. 'Otherwise, the Permits Foundation believes, fewer people may take up assignments abroad which lessens the skills base and technology transfer available to both developing and developed countries.'

'We hope the Foundation can help persuade governments worldwide that the spouse of an expatriate employee can also make a useful contribution to the local economy,' he added.

Significant development
The Foundation, a Shell initiative sponsored by around 20 international companies and organisations, represents the most significant development in this area, and is welcomed with considerable enthusiasm by those who have been lobbying for change over many years.

In the USA, the employers' coalition MEWS (Multinational Employers for Working Spouses) has done much to move the issue to the next stage. Two Bills concerning spouse work permits were introduced in the US Congress in June of this year.

Speaking at the Permits Foundation launch, Labour VP, US Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC, Randel Johnson expressed his optimism. Currently, it is almost impossible for the spouse of an expatriate employee to work in the USA. As in other countries, concessions are made for the spouses of some diplomats, but clearly this needs to be extended further. A change in US policy would send out a clear signal to the rest of the world, and encourage other countries to follow.

Success follows success
At the successful Shell International Spouse Employment Centre (SEC) in The Hague, founder Kathleen van der Wilk-Carlton found that the work permit issue was the largest single barrier to employment for spouses. Passionate about helping spouses maximise career opportunities, Kathleen's initiatives come at a time when organisations are all too aware that this is an issue which can no longer be ignored. Permits Foundation is the result of SEC's determination to bring about change through the co-ordinated lobbying activities of some of the world's largest international organisations.

Founder and President of Global Transitions, Pam Perraud, offers coaching, cross-cultural training and spousal employment counselling for people moving abroad. With a background in International Human Resources and 25 years of experience, much spent as a working expatriate spouse, Pam understands the frustrations not being able to work can bring.

'I continually meet professionally trained spouses of executives, both moving into and out of the USA,' she explains. 'They are totally dismayed and frustrated by the huge obstacles they face trying to work abroad. In some cases, the lack of job opportunities has been a factor in finally turning down the job offer. In other cases, particularly for spouses coming here, the prohibition to work in the USA has meant an assignment failure and an early return home.'

Perraud believes Permits Foundation will play an important role not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the world, including the USA.

'Spousal employment is an international labour mobility issue, tied very much to the new global economy,' she says. 'Governments must begin to adjust their archaic rules and bring down their barriers if they want companies in their home countries to compete. Part of the Foundation's goals will be to spread the word and educate governments on best practices.'

An exciting step forward
The launch of Permits Foundation is an important and exciting step forward. A change in US policy is the next, vital step. After this comes more work. Changes will not come overnight and the USA and Europe are the initial targets for the Foundation's efforts. The issue will be lobbied as a trade and business issue, not one of immigration.

It is essential that governments understand that in order to attract necessary expatriates to enhance local business, concessions have to be made towards their spouses. This should be perceived as an advantage, rather than a disadvantage, to the host country. Spouses have much to offer local economies.

'This is something which has been needed for a long time,' says Pam Perraud. 'An issue whose time has finally come.'

Amanda Carter has been an expatriate for nearly a decade and now splits her time between The Netherlands and the UK. A freelance writer, she is a regular contributor to The Weekly Telegraph's 'Expat Living' section. Contact her on randacarter@cs.com.

The Permits Foundation
Sponsors include the American Council on International Personnel (ACIP), Akzo Nobel, AstraZeneca, BT, CMS Cameron McKenna, DSM, Diageo, ECA International, GlaxoSmithKline, Heineken, ICI, Organization Resources Counselors (ORC), PricewaterhouseCoopers, Schlumberger, Shell, Siemens, UBS Warburg, Unilever and WS Atkins.

A board of directors from amongst the sponsor companies will manage the Foundation and activities will be co-ordinated from the offices of Shell International's Spouse Employment Centre in The Hague.

A website http://www.permitsfoundation.com is under construction to allow the Foundation to communicate its aims and share examples of good practice and changes when introduced.

Other contacts:
MEWS, 121, New York Avenue NW, Suite 850, Washington DC, USA

Pam Perraud at pperraud@aol.com, http://thomas.loc.gov