Indian IT professionals are not just having a hard time in the United States (US), but now other countries like United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Canada also extended the visa curbs on IT professionals in India. These countries also obscure rules that are open to Interpretation by local authorities.
The government has started displaying signs of troubles, many of which are totally against the assurance given by the countries during the World Trade Organisation or in trade agreements with India.
A study conducted by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) found that there is no match between the commitments given and the visa issued.
Over 21 Lakh Indians applied for H1B Visa in last 11 years: USCIS report
The report comes at a time when India is looking for the permanent agreement for trade facilitation in services. India is also seeking for liberal rules in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other countries including New Zealand, China, and Australia under the regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which will make one of the world’s largest free trade areas.
Regardless of government efforts, these countries are not willing to ease the rules. In addition to this, they are also seeking tax cuts for goods that are imported to India.
According to NASSCOM, at least 30,000 Indian IT employees presently working in the UK will also not have their work permits renewed. In April, Singapore had blocked visas for Indian IT professionals, and Indian companies were asked to select local talent in Singapore.
Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration also included restrictions on H1-B visas, which lot of Indian IT companies use to send their highly skilled workers to the US every year. This crackdown leads to uncertain future of engineers working in the US.
What makes life harder for Indian worker is the fact that many countries have not signed social security agreements which will allow for contributions to be shifted once the employee returns to India. A government official said, there are other issues which have stopped Indian software sector’s expansion drive which includes out dated definitions.
The IT industry also has to deal with subjective and discretionary elements of the commitments that have been given, which are meant to block access.
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