To put in another perspective, I am an Indian programmer quite proficient in Haskell and Erlang (relatively rare skills I hear) with lots of real world experien

To put in another perspective, I am an Indian programmer quite proficient in Haskell and Erlang (relatively rare skills I hear) with lots of real world experience. And the rates I get offered by most US companies are in the vicinity of 25 USD/hour. I would not take up such low paid assignments at all but many would, and turn in shabby work. You get what you pay for.