OT: Senate bill gives Americans preference for tech jobs

[Thomas Rogers]

We have talked about offshoring, outsourcing, and H1-Bs and foreign nationals "taking all the good jobs" here in America.



I thought I would share this article about what some Senator is trying to do about it.



Here is an excerpt, and the link below has the full story:

The 32-page Senate bill would impose a host of additional obligations on employers. They would be required to pledge that they made a "good faith" effort to hire an American before taking on an H-1B worker and that the foreigner was not displacing a prospective U.S. worker.



Employers would also have to advertise job openings for 30 days on the Department of Labor's Web site before making H-1B visa applications, and they would be prohibited from advertising positions only to H-1B holders.



In addition, companies with 50 or more workers would not be allowed to employ more than half of their staff through H-1B visas.



In an attempt to discourage employers from hiring foreigners at lower wages than their American counterparts would command, employers would have to pay all H-1B workers the "prevailing wage," as calculated by a different method that raises the minimum to a higher level than it currently stands.

Interestingly, as I read the contents of the bill and given what I know from having to fill out H1-B applications in the past, it seems to me to be a bunch of beauracracy with little teeth, and much of what it requires is already in place.



Read the whole thing here:

 

[Dave S 2]

Sounds good but just a pipe dream if you ask me. Corporations will rule over this initiative.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Dave, I agree that clearing up any abuse in the H1-B program is a good thing. I just don't see how this bill will do that.



Furthermore, and frankly, I don't think abuse of the H1-B program is as bad as people may think. I think it is akin to WalMart bashing, something that makes many feel better, but if people had their facts straight they would see the situation isn't as bad as they think.



Case-in-point, when I was hiring high-tech employees in the computer science field my company HAD to go to H1-Bs because the domestic talent simply wasn't there, not in the numbers needed. 9 out of every 10 resumes and applicants we had were foreign nationals.



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

And in related news, this years annual H1-B cap already met:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Tuesday that it had received 150,000 applications as of Monday afternoon for the controversial work permits, which allow foreigners with a bachelor's degree in their area of specialty to be employed in the United States for up to six years.



That's more than enough applications to meet the cap for the visas, which currently stands at 65,000. Up to 20,000 additional visas are available for foreigners with advanced degrees from U.S. schools, but USCIS said it hadn't yet determined how many applications fit in that category.

Read the rest at:

 

[Dave S 2]

I haven't had any direct hiring practice of H1-B's or even know if the system was abused but...I work aircraft manufacturing / engineering and have seen an enormous amout of H1-B's gain employment whilst there were many Americans competing for the same jobs but for some reason, lost out to foreign national applicants. As limited as my knowledge with this practice, I assume it was due to lower wages afforded by going with the H1-B's. Lower wages and temporary help (no retirement, benefits, seniority issues) is all the rage and kinda becoming standardized with US corporations.



I agree with your WalMart anology as far as being not as bad as many think but, those who could enter the required fields being filled by the H1-B's need more incentive to pursue these fields / education. Like you said, maybe more factual information regarding a break down of H1-B percentages and a positive nod toward the future of these fields of work if one should pursue it.



The way it appears now is that who the heck would want to educate themselves in a field where it is presumed that one does not stand a chance against the cheaper labor. Even here in the US. Let alone outsourcing your future job to other countries.



We are in a big hole right now and I don't see how this initiative will help. I see it as mainly a political move that will be crushed. Either by ignorance of facts or at the whim of corporate America.



Time will tell.

 

[Gavin Allan]

How about a bill prioitizing other jobs for Americans-- such as these jobs?



Slaughterhouse worker

Migrant farmer

Mexican Restaurant worker

Fly-By-Night roofer

Landscape crewperson

etc.

 

[Dave S 2]

Ahhh, the frills of being an illegal...