H1B BILL TO TOUGHEN RULES GETS US HOUSE PANEL NOD

WASHINGTON: A committee of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a legislation for a vote by the larger body, proposing rules to toughen the H-1B visa regime that could potentially affect Indian IT companies in the United States.

The bill, moved by Republican law maker Darell Issa, proposes a string of measures that strike at the root of the business model followed by Indian IT companies that are premised on wage differentials between amounts paid to foreigners on H-1B and locals.

However, the bill, which Issa has claimed has the backing of US President Donald Trump, has a long way to go before it becomes the law of the land.

It must first pass the House and then go through the same process in the Senate—passed by a committee before it is put to a vote before the full upper chamber. Then it goes to the President for his signature.

The bill seeks to make it more difficult for H -1 B dependent companies, defined as companies with more than 15% of employees on H-1B, which practically account for most of Indian IT organisations in the US.

The bill aims to raise this to 20%.

The bill also proposes a 50% salary hike from the current base of $60,000 to $90,000, arguing that the minimum rate was fixed decades ago.

LONDON: Keen to reaffirm global links as Britain prepares to leave the European Union, the Theresa May government on Wednesday announced the doubling of visas available under the Tier 1( Exceptional Talent) route for individuals in technology, science, art and creative industries.

The increase from 1,000 to 2,000 visas per year is intended to ensure that more skilled people, who can enhance the British economy, can come and work in the country, official sources said.

Home secretary Amber Rudd said: “Increasing the number of visas for these sectors will make sure that we continue to be at the heart of world culture and forefront of digital and scientific advances. The UK’s innovative industries, including the thriving digital technology sector, are at the centre of our industrial strategy and making sure that businesses in these fields have access to exceptional talent from across the world is vitally important.”

The 2,000 visas will be made available to individuals recognised as existing global leaders or promising future leaders in digital technology, science, arts and creative sectors by any of the five endorsing organisations: Tech City UK, Arts Council England, the British Academy, the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.