'Suspension of H-1B visas to affect India's IT sector'

T S Chandrashekar, International Affairs Expert said "Protectionism and fear should be back for globalization and talents. India uses American Operating Systems, Microsoft Words, Google Search to Facebook Chats. We are also producer and consumer of IT-ITES so we should not be equalled to China or Korea or any other country. India should be exempted and should be allowed in H1B visas more."

Hyderabad: The suspension of H-1B visas is going to directly affect India and its IT-ITES industry at large said T S Chandrashekar, International Affairs Expert on Tuesday.

"These are the people who are very qualified, health-conscious and giving next-generation technology. If they are discouraged this is going to affect not only India but internet of things (IoT) in the world," Chandrashekar said to ETV Bharat.

He further added "Protectionism and fear should be back for globalization and talents. India uses American Operating Systems, Microsoft Words, Google Search to Facebook chats. We are also producer and consumer of IT-ITES so we should not be equalled to China or Korea or any other country. India should be exempted and should be allowed in H1B visas more."

Industry body Nasscom also termed the work visa suspension proclamation as "misguided" and said this could be harmful to the US economy, possibly forcing more work to be performed offshore since the local talent is not available in the country.

The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24 is expected to impact a large number of Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.

"The proclamation issued today barring the entry of certain non-immigrants into America and setting new conditions for others is misguided and harmful to the US economy...This new proclamation will impose new challenge and possibly force more work to be performed offshore since the local talent is not available," Nasscom said in a statement.

It highlighted that the association's members provide essential services to hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, state and local government agencies, financial institutions, technology and communications firms, grocers, manufacturers, and thousands of other businesses across the US.

"Highly skilled non-immigrants are playing critical roles in the delivery of these services and the development of these services and products.

“Without their continued contributions to the US economy, the economic pain would worsen, industry would slow, and the timeline for a treatment and cure of COVID-19 would lengthen," Nasscom said.

It added that those on H-1B and L-1 visas pay taxes and contribute to their communities and to local economies in many ways as well.

Nasscom urged the US administration to shorten the duration of these restrictions to 90 days, saying lengthening these "burdensome restrictions" on US companies that are trying to recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic will "only serve to harm" the economy.

Google CEO Sunder Pichai has also expressed disappointment over the proclamation and said he would stand with immigrants and work to expand opportunity for all.

Human rights bodies, in particular those working among immigrant communities, as well many American lawmakers have also urged Trump to revoke the suspension.

The comments came after US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to suspend issuing of H-1B visas - popular among Indian IT professionals - along with other foreign work visas for the rest of the year, aimed at helping millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the current economic crisis.

(With PTI inputs)