Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
International

US Introduces Bill To Bar Indian Companies From Hiring On H-1B Visas

The Canadian Press, 09 Jul, 2016 01:39 PM
  • US Introduces Bill To Bar Indian Companies From Hiring On H-1B Visas
A bipartisan group of two US lawmakers has introduced in the House of Representatives a legislation, which if passed by the Congress would prevent Indian companies from hiring IT professionals on H-1B and L1 work visas.
 
Since the revenue model of majority of big Indian IT companies is heavily dependent on H-1B and L1 visas in the US, such a bill is likely to have a major impact, if not sound a death knell, on their businesses.
 
The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2016 introduced by Democratic Congressman Bill Pascrell from New Jersey and Republican Dana Rohrabacher from California would prohibit companies from hiring H-1B employees if they employ more than 50 people and more than 50 per cent of their employees are H-1B and L-1 visa holders.
 
Before the bill is signed into a law by US President Barack Obama, it needs to be passed by the Senate, wherein it has not been tabled so far. Notably, the two sponsors of the bill come from the two American states which have the maximum concentration of Indian Americans.
 
"America is producing many skilled, high-tech professionals with advanced degrees and no jobs. By in-sourcing and exploiting foreign workers, some businesses are abusing the visa programs and undercutting our workforce to reap the rewards," Congressman Pascrell said.
 
 
"Without the critical reforms our bill proposes, American workers will continue to be unfairly displaced and visa workers will continue to be mistreated -- both of which are unacceptable," he said in a statement.
 
Noting the foreign outsourcing companies are the top users of the H-1B and L-1 visa programs, a media statement issued by the Congressmans office said over the years a number of concerns have been raised about how certain companies have been using these visa programs, including a 2011 report from the Government Accountability Office calling for reform.
 
Pascrell and Rohrabacher had introduced a similar version of this bill in 2010, which could not gain enough support in the Congress.
 
The lawmakers said the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2016 would close loopholes in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs, reduce fraud and abuse, provide protections for American workers and visa holders, require more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers, and increase penalties on those who violate the law.

MORE International ARTICLES

Muslim Doctor Shot Twice Near A Mosque In US

Muslim Doctor Shot Twice Near A Mosque In US
After parking his car, the victim was waylaid by three suspects. One of the attackers whipped out his gun and shot the doctor near the Mosque, authorities said.

Muslim Doctor Shot Twice Near A Mosque In US

They Were 'Highly Educated Rich Kids': Bangladesh's Ruling Leader's Son Among Dhaka Attackers

They Were 'Highly Educated Rich Kids': Bangladesh's Ruling Leader's Son Among Dhaka Attackers
The son of a senior leader of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League could be one of the seven attackers who hacked to death 20 hostages at a restaurant in the diplomatic enclave here, a media report said today.

They Were 'Highly Educated Rich Kids': Bangladesh's Ruling Leader's Son Among Dhaka Attackers

Auto Sales On Pace For Record, Driven By Popularity Of Light Trucks

Auto Sales On Pace For Record, Driven By Popularity Of Light Trucks
At least once a week, 76-year-old Ken Dacko makes the 200-kilometre round trip from his home in Alma, Ont., to the factory in Brampton, Ont., where he works.

Auto Sales On Pace For Record, Driven By Popularity Of Light Trucks

Aqilah Sandhu, Muslim Woman Wins Right To Wear Headscarf At Work In Germany

Aqilah Sandhu, Muslim Woman Wins Right To Wear Headscarf At Work In Germany
Aqilah Sandhu, a star student at Augsburg University law faculty, began a traineeship with the Bavarian judicial system after completing her state law exams, but was told in a letter that she was not allowed to interrogate witnesses or appear in courtrooms while wearing her headscarf.

Aqilah Sandhu, Muslim Woman Wins Right To Wear Headscarf At Work In Germany

Lord Paul Family's Dynamism Has Changed Many Lives: UK's Ex-PM Gordon Brown

Lord Paul Family's Dynamism Has Changed Many Lives: UK's Ex-PM Gordon Brown
Lauding Lord Swraj Paul and his family, Britain's former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said their "dynamism and contribution" to the community has changed the lives of many people across several countries.

Lord Paul Family's Dynamism Has Changed Many Lives: UK's Ex-PM Gordon Brown

Lenders Lower Kingfisher House Reserve Price To Rs 135 Crore

Lenders Lower Kingfisher House Reserve Price To Rs 135 Crore
Three months after they failed to sell the Kingfisher House, erstwhile headquarters of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines, lenders have once again put up the property for auction with a lower reserve price of Rs 135 crore so as to part-recover their loans.

Lenders Lower Kingfisher House Reserve Price To Rs 135 Crore