Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
India

After UK's Visa Crackdown, Indian IT Industry Calls For Fresh Pact On Worker Mobility

IANS, 05 Nov, 2016 02:50 PM
    Dismayed at UK's proposed changes in visa system that will impact skilled IT migration, software body Nasscom today called for a high skilled worker mobility pact between the two countries to safeguard the economic interests of both nations.
     
    Nasscom said that the movement of tech workers should be treated as a trade priority rather than an immigration issue.
     
    "Indian IT companies play a key role in driving the UK's growth and prosperity by significantly enhancing productivity and global competitiveness of British businesses, contributing to overall growth and job creation of the UK economy," Nasscom said.  
     
    Nasscom said it intends to focus on opportunities that UK Prime Minister Theresa May's forthcoming visit offers, for a fresh approach to skilled IT migration as part of a possibly new India-UK trade agreement.
     
    It said that the fast growing and high value tech sectors rely on an effective immigration policy.
     
    Such a policy should attract high skilled workers and minimise barriers to the flow of talented people between the two countries, it added.
     
     
    "A system that restricts the UK's ability to access talent is also likely to restrict the growth and productivity of the UK economy," the association said.
     
    The UK needs to have the "right" policies in place to encourage valuable temporary immigration, and minimise barriers to the flow of talented people, it added.
     
    "Our key ask to both Governments is for a high skilled worker mobility agreement, along with an agreement on the free movement of data. The movement of skilled tech workers from India should be seen as a trade priority rather than an immigration issue," it said.
     
    Under the new visa rules announced last evening by the UK Home Office, anyone applying after November 24 under the Tier 2 intra-company transfer (ICT) category would be required to meet a higher salary threshold requirement of 30,000 pounds from the earlier 20,800 pounds.
     
     
    The ICT route is largely used by Indian IT companies in Britain, and the UK's Migration Advisory Committee had found earlier this year that Indian IT workers accounted for nearly 90 per cent of visas issued under this route.
     
    The proposed changes in the UK visa policy come just days before British PM Theresa May lands in India on November 6 for a three-day visit.
     
    Nasscom said that India and UK have been natural business allies, and enjoy a continued association, where free movement of skilled talent is the cornerstone of growth.
     
    "Temporary placement of highly-skilled individuals into the UK provides a significant economic boost yet has a negligible impact on net migration," it added.
     
    The relationship between the UK and the Indian ICT sector has seen a step change in recent years and the shared goal of being global centres for innovation makes the UK and India natural partners in technology, it said.
     
    "We will continue to urge the UK government to realise that both countries stand to benefit massively from a fresh trade-based approach," it added.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Ten-Month-Old Girl Raped In Delhi

    Ten-Month-Old Girl Raped In Delhi
    A ten-month-old girl was raped by a 38-year-old man and thrown into the bushes after he assumed her to be dead.

    Ten-Month-Old Girl Raped In Delhi

    All Party Visit: Government For Consensus, Opposition Wants AFSPA Removed

    All Party Visit: Government For Consensus, Opposition Wants AFSPA Removed
    Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a preparatory meeting with delegation members here to discuss their engagements in Kashmir

    All Party Visit: Government For Consensus, Opposition Wants AFSPA Removed

    Man Hacks Teen For Allegedly Refusing His Advances In Maharashtra

    Man Hacks Teen For Allegedly Refusing His Advances In Maharashtra
    A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly murdering a girl in Maharashtra's Virar after she rejected his advances, police said today.

    Man Hacks Teen For Allegedly Refusing His Advances In Maharashtra

    In Odisha, Another Man Forced To Walk 6 km With Daughter's Body

    In Odisha, Another Man Forced To Walk 6 km With Daughter's Body
    A man in Odisha's Malkangiri district had to walk 6 km carrying his seven-year-old daughter's body as the ambulance transporting them allegedly left them midway today.

    In Odisha, Another Man Forced To Walk 6 km With Daughter's Body

    At 24, She’s Fighting For Tribals. Meet Chhattisgarh’s Youngest Sarpanch

    At 24, She’s Fighting For Tribals. Meet Chhattisgarh’s Youngest Sarpanch
    Fondly teased as ‘Neta ji’ by her friends, Ritu Pandram, 24, is the youngest sarpanch in Chhattisgarh.

    At 24, She’s Fighting For Tribals. Meet Chhattisgarh’s Youngest Sarpanch

    4 Hours Late, Bhagwant Mann Snaps At Media: 'AAP Does Not Need You'

    4 Hours Late, Bhagwant Mann Snaps At Media: 'AAP Does Not Need You'
    AAP lawmaker Bhagwant Mann targetted the media and asked party workers not to read newspapers

    4 Hours Late, Bhagwant Mann Snaps At Media: 'AAP Does Not Need You'