H1B overhaul: IT Cos see costs rise, dearth of skilled workers

A US legislation that proposes doubling of the minimum wages of H-1B visa, sent IT stocks plunging on fears that headcount expenses will go up hitting the sector's profitability

People protest US President Donald Trump’s travel ban at the Bradley International Terminal at LA. Pic/AFP

New Delhi: Indian IT firms face the risk of higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers with the proposed overhaul of popular H-1B visa regime by American President Donald Trump, leading to a sharp slide in tech stocks and prompting India to convey its concerns to the US.

A US legislation that proposes doubling of the minimum wages of H-1B visa holders to $130,000, sent IT stocks plunging by 9 per cent yesterday on fears that headcount expenses will go up hitting the sector's profitability.

Industry body Nasscom conceded that the Lofgren Bill contains provisions that may prove "challenging" for the sector.

The US protectionism could spell more trouble for firms like TCS and Infosys that are already facing strong headwinds from currency fluctuation and cautious client spending.

"Since the rationale for the administration and the legislative wing is to protect job opportunities for Americans, our strong suggestion is that they should carefully calibrate the conditions keeping in mind the skill shortage in the US," Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said.

$150bn
The worth of the IT industry

What's been proposed
> Increase the salary to $130,000; eliminate category of lowest pay
> Prioritise visas to those companies willing to pay 200 per cent of a wage calculated by survey

How does it affect India?
> Indian IT firms face the risk of higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers with the proposed overhaul. As if on cue, IT stocks plunged on fears that headcount expenses will go up.

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