For Hugo (who wished to remain anonymous, like all the witnesses quoted in this article), these 1,500 dollars (about 1,500 euros) will have been the bill too much. On a mission since May in the United States under the status of international corporate volunteer (VIE), the young man realized a few weeks ago that he would not have the money to pay for his insurance. automobile. In Detroit, his host city, it is impossible to get around without a car.
Tired of seeing his bank account bordering on red since the start of his mission, Hugo decided to ask his employer to terminate his LIFE contract. “I would have had to take out a bank loan. And paying to work was out of the question. »
With the collapse of the euro against the dollar, Hugo saw his “rest to live” plummet. All costs included, he estimates to have released “more than 10,000 euros in cash” from the first six weeks of his mission, including the deposit for his accommodation. His rent is $1,200 a month for a monthly allowance of about $2,600. “When I arrived, I only had ten days of hotel paid for by my company. Then, I had to put my hand in the pocket to find an accommodation, then a car. »
Like Hugo, one hundred and fifty VIE on a mission in the United States have come together to raise awareness about their financial difficulties. A state-supervised system, the VIE offers the possibility of employing young people under 28 on international assignments. For the duration of his contract, the volunteer receives an indemnity, which varies according to the country. On paper, the amount received by VIE in the United States seems comfortable: between 2,600 and 3,600 euros approximately per month, depending on the city of destination.
“We lost 15% to 20% of income”
On paper only, tempers Laura, another member of the collective: “As we are paid in euros, we have lost 15% to 20% of income over the last few months. » The depreciation of the European currency against the dollar has strained their budget. Not to mention galloping inflation in the United States, an ever more expensive destination for young expatriates. At New York, ” a packet of toilet paper costs 14 dollars, a salad, 8 dollars”, lists Laura.
“Wages are high, but so is the cost of living”, confirms Cecile. This other member of the collective had a difficult start in New York a few months ago. As soon as she arrived, the young woman, who had to advance thousands of euros to book a shared room remotely, realized that her bank card “does not pass”. Another disappointment, unrelated to the dollar this time: the accommodation was uninhabitable. “I found myself in a human pigsty. » Understanding, her employer agrees to advance her money so that she can move.
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