RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.501
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2017
THREAT OF INDIANS LOSING JOBS ABROAD
501. SHRI BASAWARAJ PATIL:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any new laws of United states of America (USA), Europe, and Australia are putting hurdles for Indians in getting jobs in those countries; and
(b) whether there is any threat of losing job for Indians in these countries due to these new laws?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) & (b) No new law which creates hurdles for Indians in getting jobs in the US, has been passed by the US Congress. In April, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled "Buy American and Hire American” which states that in order to create higher
wages and employment rates for workers in the US, and to protect their economic interests, it shall be the policy of the executive branch to rigorously enforce and administer laws governing entry into the United States of workers abroad.
The UK Government introduced certain changes to its work visa regime in November 2016 and April 2017. The changes include increase in salary thresholds and levy of charges such as Immigration Health Surcharge and Immigration Skills Charge. These changes have
made it difficult for skilled professionals to obtain a work visa for the UK.
In April, 2017, Australia announced phased abolition of 457 visa category for skilled workers. It will be replaced with the ‘Temporary Skills Shortage Visas’ programme starting March 2018, providing for a short-term visa for up to two years and medium term
visas of up to four years depending on the occupation. English language proficiency requirement has been made stringent. As the number of professions in the eligible Occupation List is curtailed, it will impact the number of jobs available under ‘Temporary
Skills Shortage Visas’ programme.
These changes/proposed changes are not India specific and their impact will be assessed in due course.
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