New Delhi: After criticizing centre's decision to export Hydrochloroquinne (HCQ) drugs to US, Congress party on Friday demanded Modi government to ensure the extension of post-job loss limit of H-1B Indian visa holder from 60 days to 180 days.
In a written statement, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "After compromising on 'India first' policy in the HCQ drug climb-down, Modi government is once again failing to secure the safety and livelihood of Indians in America. The sword of H-1B visa job termination looms large on the heads of an estimated 75,000 Indians, with the United States giving them only 60 day period to find a new job in case of lay off."
He further stated, "There are 3,09,986 Indians working on H1B visa in USA, and given the COVID-19 lockdown in the two countries it is logistically impossible for them to come back to India."
Congress also accused the Modi government for holding public felicitations for the US President Donald Trump during the time when COVID-19 pandemic had initiated in India.
While mentioning about the plight of Indians, Surjewala said, "While the US has put American citizens on temporary paid leave and allowed them to work for reduced hours in the wake of virus, Indian H1B workers on contrary will have to work for 40 hours per week on a payroll and be paid nothing less but the same amount. It is time for PM Modi to ensure that our Soft power of 'Namaste Trump' converts into fair treatment of these Indians living in US."
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He also pointed out that nearly 60,000 H1B visas are generally granted to Indians each year, which have been on a steady decline since last few years where rejection rates have gone up as high as 53% for some top IT companies.
Mentioning about the risk of job losses, he said that IT sector contributes nearly 8% to the GDP, where the US accounts for two-third of the IT services exports, and hence all these 3 lakh jobs, which have been one of the highest contributors to India's growth, would be the most affected one.
Urging the PM to take an immediate step over the issue, Congress demanded that the H1B visa holders, who have lost their jobs, should be covered for COVID-19 and other health insurance at free of cost.
Surjewala also appealed in his statement that Modi government should deliberate with Indian Industry confederation like NASSCOM, CII and FICCI to prevent further H-1B job losses.
