English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Will the H1B Bill help or hurt US interests?

Published

on

Will the H1B Bill help or hurt US interests?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With it, the new administration there intends to hire Americans, but in the end, the visa may prove to be the only way out if its own industries are to survive and thrive

By Sujit Bhar

In a somewhat desperate attempt to stop top international technical talent – especially those from India – from ruling Silicon Valley and supposedly depriving local American talent through the cost factor, a bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives which raises the minimum salary of H1B visa holders to $ 130,000. This is more than double the earlier level of $ 60,000.

The bill was introduced by California Congressman Zoe Lofgren. It is called the “High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017”. The raise was based on a survey and the bill suggests that H1B visas be given only to those companies that are willing to pay 200 per cent of the survey average as minimum pay.

The justification is perhaps the median national annual wage for Computer and Mathematical Occupations published by the Department of Labour Occupational Employment Statistics. That median is approximately $ 132,000. So this bill suggests a 35 percentile increase. The master’s degree exemption (for H1B visa applicants) has also been withdrawn, but that was expected.

Interestingly, there has been a 20 percent exemption, annually, on this H1B restriction, for small and start-up employers (50 or fewer employers). Technically, this is so that these small companies can hire cheaper labour to compete with the giants, creating some sort of level playing field. The bill says that this will, somehow, protect against outsourcing.

This presents an Achilles’ heel, which we will come to in a while, but we look at the situation this has created in India first. Indian tech stocks plummeted at the Bombay Stock Exchange and at the tech-heavy NSE.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Will the H1B Bill help or hurt US interests?The following are stock market indications:

  • The BSE Sensex was pulled down by 0.92 percent with IT stocks within it living in the red following the new H1B bill news. The overall fall may have been greater if not for some FMCG stocks that somewhat saved the day for the index.
  • However, the BSE IT Index, which is a marker for the IT stocks, dipped 4 percent overall, though many individual IT giants took a bigger hit.
  • TCS, the country’s largest software company plummeted 5.6 per cent; Tech Mahindra dived 9.7 per cent; HCL Tech went down 6.3 per cent; Infosys was down 4.6 per cent; Wipro was at -4.23 per cent range.

Even American IT stocks across the board were down on an average of 1 percent.

The justification

Before looking further into the cause and effect of the bill, one needs to listen to the justification made by Congressman Lofgren. He has been quoted in the media as saying: “My legislation refocuses the H-1B programme to its original intent – to seek out and find the best and brightest from around the world, and to supplement the US workforce with talented, highly-paid, and highly-skilled workers who help create jobs here in America, not replace them.”

Fair enough, but while the lion’s share of Indian tech giants’ revenues comes from the US and while around 60 percent (more or less) of their employees hold H1B visas, US tech giants would also be hit in the long run. Not for nothing is Satya Nadella the CEO of Microsoft and Sundar Pichai heads Google. They deserved their positions and so do other highly talented Indian techies in the US on H1B visas.

The other problem

And now we come to the crux of the problem. The H1B visa isn’t all for IT experts and fresh techies wanting to join Microsoft or Google or Intel or any such company. H1B is also for bright students joining the pharmaceutical industry as researchers, mathematicians, and several other areas.

There are ten broad areas of occupation that can draw H1B visa applicants, and only one among them is “Computer Science & IT, and Telecom Occupations”. The others are:

  • Occupations In Architecture, Engineering, And Surveying
  • Occupations In Mathematics And Physical Sciences
  • Occupations In Life Sciences
  • Occupations In Medicine And Health
  • Occupations In Education & Research
  • Occupations in Writing and Languages
  • Occupations in Finance and Administrative Specializations
  • Occupations in Business Management & Administration
  • OTHER Specialty Occupations.

One would want to ask the Congressman how he intends a “small” player in, say, the pharmaceutical industry to use some of the exempt H1b visas to research and develop a new drug that will then need extensive testing, needing huge  funding. How does a small company manage to raise that level of funding?

If the purpose of the legislation was to throttle cheap foreign talent in the IT industry, this could well have a sad ripple effect elsewhere.

The Cost & Talent factors

Problem No. 2 rises from the very two reasons outsourcing and H1B visas came into existence for the US IT industry: Cost and talent.

All of Silicon Valley started small, very small. And the principal reasons for their meteoric rise were just two: A brilliant idea that could change the way of life and a business model that could create massive footprint, leading to incredible return on investment.

The promoters and the venture capitalists and/or banks gathered around them talent that was available in the country and set about realising their dreams. Along the way, there was need for more talent where brainstorming sessions could yield more than what was bargained for. That was where it was realised that the US does not create the requisite numbers in brilliant students/professionals that was essential to man these units and sessions. (See box and US census bureau graph)

Importing talent was the only way out, just as American talent sets up oil producing rigs—on land and offshore—in the Midwest. It would be interesting to note how the US would react if the Arab countries had designed a similar visa format and restricted US skill entry.

It happens all across the world. The Indian companies are taking on the losses today, but they are nimble, and they do have the talent pool. They have already started hiring Americans in the many Indian projects and companies in the US and while the new legislation will hurt their bottomlines, the cost will ultimately be passed on to the consumer. One guesses the US consumer would be the biggest loser in this.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

This could be a reverse IP challenge for Americans. In the pharmaceutical sector, for instance, while the per unit gain may be small in sales [for the US], the massive market that exists outside the US can assure similar returns for the drug, whose IP will be India (or China)-owned

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1485871830501{margin-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The Disparities”][vc_column_text]Graph with Box

A US Census Bureau report (Link: http://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/p20-578.pdf ) highlights the following disparities under the heading “Educational Attainment in the United States: 2015”:[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1485871919994{margin-top: 5px !important;margin-right: 5px !important;margin-bottom: 5px !important;margin-left: 5px !important;border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;}”]HIGHLIGHTS

  • In 2015, almost 9 out of 10 adults (88 percent) had at least a high school diploma or GED, while nearly 1 in 3 adults (33 percent) held a bachelor’s or higher degree.
  • The percentage of women who had a bachelor’s degree or higher (33 percent) was not statistically different than the percentage of men (32 percent) with this level of education.
  • Educational attainment varied by race and Hispanic origin. More than half of Asians aged 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2015. Asians were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to have at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Asians and non-Hispanic Whites were more likely to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with Blacks and Hispanics.
  • Native adults were more likely to have a high school education or higher but were no more likely than foreign-born adults to hold an advanced degree.
  • Adults without a disability were more likely to hold a bachelor’s degree or more than adults with a disability.

DEMOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

In 2015, the majority (88 percent) of adults were at least high school graduates and more than half (59 percent) had completed some college or more. One out of three adults (33 percent) reported they had a bachelor’s degree or more education, and 12 percent reported an advanced degree, such as a master’s, professional, or doctorate degree. Educational attainment varied by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin, nativity, and disability status.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There will be options

As for software for Indian and Chinese consumers, options can be easily developed for every existing common software needed for the regular market. For all specialised applications developed, such as logistics for railway or airline systems, they are already being developed by Indian firms in the US, with offshore research. The price escalations in these will be borne by the consumer, mostly western.

Then there is the India-China domestic market factor. Agreed, that the US market is by far the largest today, for IT. However, with the India-China economic growth, there will be need for companies—even western ones that would set up facilities abroad—based in these countries to develop proprietary software that will then earn IPs under that country’s law, namely, say, India.

How will that benefit consumers in the US? This could be a reverse IP challenge for Americans. In the pharmaceutical sector, research and detailed tests may be shifted to these countries and with lax drug testing laws, these drugs will come on to the international market beyond the legislation and watch of the FDA. While the per unit gain may be small in sales, the massive market that exists outside the US can assure similar returns for the drug, whose IP will be India (or China)-owned.

H1B protects not just talented individuals to the US from, say, India. It also protects the Americans from a world of invention that they would have priced themselves out of.

While hiring Americans, as per President Donald Trump’s exhortations, is a good thing in itself, Trump has to understand that to fill top technical posts with Americans, the country first has to have those talented people.

As per latest reports, the US does not. H1B is the way out, one way or the other.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Home Ministry convenes emergency meeting amid rising security concerns after Pahalgam terror attack

After the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, the Home Ministry convened a high-level meeting in Delhi as intense security operations unfold across Jammu and Kashmir.

Published

on

Amid heightened security concerns following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Key officials attending the meeting include Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director Generals of the Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles, and the National Security Guard (NSG), along with senior representatives from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Meanwhile, extensive counter-terrorism operations are ongoing at multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir. Sources familiar with the matter noted that, due to the sensitive nature of these operations, no specific updates are currently being disclosed.

In a related development on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted raids at 13 locations in the Doda district, targeting terrorist hideouts and individuals suspected of links to terrorist activities.

Additionally, Srinagar Police carried out a series of extensive searches across the city. These operations focused on the residences of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and associates linked to banned terrorist outfits, as part of ongoing investigations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to a police statement, searches were conducted at the homes of 63 individuals. These operations were executed in accordance with legal procedures, under the supervision of Executive Magistrates and independent witnesses, aiming to collect evidence such as weapons, documents, and digital devices to thwart any potential conspiracies threatening national security.

Continue Reading

India News

Family Man 3 actor Rohit Basfore found dead near Guwahati waterfall

Actor Rohit Basfore, part of Family Man 3, was found dead at Garbhanga Waterfalls. Initial police reports cite accidental drowning, but further investigation is ongoing.

Published

on

In a tragic turn of events, actor Rohit Basfore, known for his role in the upcoming third season of The Family Man, was found dead near the Garbhanga Waterfalls in Guwahati on Sunday, April 27. The incident has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and among fans.

According to police reports, Basfore had gone on a picnic with nine colleagues when the mishap occurred. Officials from Rani Police Outpost stated that he allegedly fell into the waterfall around 2 pm. The authorities were alerted by 4 pm, and a rescue operation led by the SDRF team resulted in the recovery of his body at approximately 6.30 pm.

Initial findings suggest that Basfore died by accidental drowning, with the police currently not suspecting foul play. However, the final confirmation on the cause of death will depend on the awaited post-mortem report. Despite the preliminary conclusions, Basfore’s family members have voiced concerns over possible foul play, prompting further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In recent weeks, Rohit Basfore had shared glimpses from the set of Family Man 3 on his social media, expressing excitement about his experience. He posted photographs alongside co-actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Dalip Tahil, reflecting on his enthusiasm for learning and acting.

The Family Man series, a creation by Raj & DK for a leading OTT platform, stars Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role of Srikant Tiwari. The popular thriller debuted its first season in 2019, followed by a second season in 2021, and has gained a loyal fanbase awaiting its third chapter.

As the investigation continues, friends, fans, and colleagues mourn the untimely loss of a budding talent whose career was just beginning to blossom.

Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi to chair crucial security meeting after Pahalgam attack

PM Modi will chair crucial security and cabinet meetings tomorrow to assess national preparedness after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead in Jammu and Kashmir.

Published

on

PM Modi

In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a series of crucial meetings tomorrow to review India’s security preparedness.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the nation’s apex body for national security decisions, is scheduled to convene around 11 am. This will be the second high-level review since the tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the CCS meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA), chaired by the Prime Minister, will also gather to discuss political and strategic issues. Senior leaders, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Health Minister JP Nadda, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will participate in the deliberations.

Later, the Cabinet’s Economic Affairs Committee will meet, culminating in a full cabinet session.

During the previous CCS meeting, held two days after the attack, the government placed security forces across the country on heightened alert and vowed strict action against those responsible. Measures taken included suspending the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, halting SAARC visas, closing the Wagah-Attari border, and downgrading diplomatic ties with Islamabad.

Additionally, Pakistani nationals residing in India were asked to return to their country, with a slight extension given to those holding medical visas until Tuesday. In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement.

As tensions between the two countries escalate, tomorrow’s meetings are expected to chart the next course of action amid rising security concerns.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com