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| India IT sector fears new US H-1B visa bill for skilled workers | India IT sector fears new US H-1B visa bill for skilled workers |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| India is concerned that a new US bill designed to limit the number of highly skilled workers entering will heavily impact the country's IT industry. | India is concerned that a new US bill designed to limit the number of highly skilled workers entering will heavily impact the country's IT industry. |
| The bill introduced to the US House of Representatives proposes doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 from $60,000. | The bill introduced to the US House of Representatives proposes doubling the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders to $130,000 from $60,000. |
| Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, introducing the bill, said it would stop companies "replacing" American workers. | Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, introducing the bill, said it would stop companies "replacing" American workers. |
| India's foreign ministry said it had expressed concern to the US. | India's foreign ministry said it had expressed concern to the US. |
| "India's interests and concerns have been conveyed both to the US administration and the US Congress at senior levels," a statement from the ministry said. | "India's interests and concerns have been conveyed both to the US administration and the US Congress at senior levels," a statement from the ministry said. |
| Indian media organisations have described the move as a big setback to the IT industry. | Indian media organisations have described the move as a big setback to the IT industry. |
| The proposed new legislation mainly targets foreign companies based in the US that bring in foreign employees on the visa quota. | The proposed new legislation mainly targets foreign companies based in the US that bring in foreign employees on the visa quota. |
| Google recalls staff after Trump order | Google recalls staff after Trump order |
| A senior official from India's IT body told the BBC that the bill was "disappointing". | A senior official from India's IT body told the BBC that the bill was "disappointing". |
| "The new bill does not treat all IT companies with H-1B visa holders equally," Shivendra Singh, vice-president and head of global trade development of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), told the BBC. | "The new bill does not treat all IT companies with H-1B visa holders equally," Shivendra Singh, vice-president and head of global trade development of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), told the BBC. |
| "If the objective is to protect American workers, then this bill will defeat that objective. Companies that are not dependant on H-1B visas will continue to bring in skilled workers on lower wages which will nullify the whole objective of saving US jobs." | "If the objective is to protect American workers, then this bill will defeat that objective. Companies that are not dependant on H-1B visas will continue to bring in skilled workers on lower wages which will nullify the whole objective of saving US jobs." |
| Amar Ambani, the head of research of India Infoline, said that if the bill were implemented, it would be "horrible" news for India's IT sector. | Amar Ambani, the head of research of India Infoline, said that if the bill were implemented, it would be "horrible" news for India's IT sector. |
| "More than 50% of their revenues come from that market. And this comes at a time when India's IT sector is already facing challenges to improve their margins and profitability," he told the BBC. | "More than 50% of their revenues come from that market. And this comes at a time when India's IT sector is already facing challenges to improve their margins and profitability," he told the BBC. |
| The H-1B has a cap of 65,000 visas each financial year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Around 85% go to Indians, many of whom work in the IT industry. | The H-1B has a cap of 65,000 visas each financial year, according to US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Around 85% go to Indians, many of whom work in the IT industry. |
| The phrase H-1B is the top trend on Twitter in India. | The phrase H-1B is the top trend on Twitter in India. |
| Are you working on an H-1B visa in the US? Are you hoping to apply for one? How do you think the bill affects you? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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