Number of H-1B visas drops 75%
SILICON VALLEY(SEPT 19):The number of H-1B visas issued to workers
in the technology industry in the United States dropped nearly 75
per cent from 2001 to 2002, according to a new Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) report.
The H-1B visa programme, which allows foreigners to work in the United
States for up to six years, enabled thousands of Indians to take up
well-paying jobs in the high-tech sector in the country, especially
the Silicon Valley.
The number of H-1B visas for initial employment in technology
industries fell from 105,692 in 2001 to 27,199 in 2002, the San Jose
Mercury News quoting the report said on Friday.
The percentage of all H-1B visas issued to technical workers
also declined, from 52.5 per cent in 2001 to 26.3 per cent in 2002,
it said.
The news comes as the annual limit on the number of visas
is set to be lowered October 1.
The programme has attracted much criticism in the current
economic environment with high unemployment rates with opponents arguing
that US workers had lost jobs because companies were hiring less-expensive
foreign workers.
The paper said that Intel saw a 60 per cent drop from
2000 to 2002 in the number of new H-1B visa workers it sponsored.
Tracy Koon, director of corporate affairs said that the
decline was due to the economic slowdown, adding that Intel used H-1B
visas to hire scientists with master's degrees and doctorates. "Our
hiring is down, period, across the board."
(Source : Hindustantimes )