Outsourcing curbs will be limited: US tells India

Economic Times of India ^ | June 7, 2003

[sarcasm]

WASHINGTON: American lawmakers and officials have allayed India's apprehensions over curbs on outsourcing of jobs from US to India as also on issuance of visas to its professionals.

A delegation of Indo-US Parliamentary Forum was assured by US Congress members and officials that any damage to India from restrictions on outsourcing sought to be imposed by half a dozen states will be limited.

The assurance, given to the Forum's co-chairmen Kapil Sibal and V P S Badnore, comes in the backdrop of reports that several states will press ahead with laws to ban outsourcing of jobs especially in the information technology sector because of unemployment and discontent at home.

But such laws are unlikely, the Indians were reportedly told by the lawmakers, as states have jurisdiction only with respect to employment offered by State governments.

Private companies are governed by Federal laws, where legislators will take into account US economic interests and the views of US business and industry.

New Jersey state was the first to make moves against outsourcing, but it is yet to have a full debate on the issue in the state senate.

During their talks with Americans, the President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) A C Muthiah and members of the Forum pointed out that outsourcing is mutually advantageous, as it saves billions of dollars in the cost of production and in turn, enhances American competitiveness against foreign manufactures and services at home and abroad.

It is felt that reports on curbs on the H-1B and L-1 visas which benefited Indian professionals is overblown, as the US economy is weak now and jobs are scarce.

[xrp]

Why the F--K do American lawmakers represent EVERYONE IN THE WORLD EXCEPT AMERICANS???

[ReagansShinyHair]

My husband's job went to India. He had to change his AIM chat name because three months after his last day at the company, they kept IM-ing him for help because they didn't know how to do the job. He got a job in a different state, in a different field. I guess that's what people have to do some times. The companies that want to supply inferior customer service can go ahead and provide that. I don't have to give them my patronage.

[sarcasm]

Why the F--K do American lawmakers represent EVERYONE IN THE WORLD EXCEPT AMERICANS???

Payoffs Campaign contributions.

[lelio]

Ask Jay Inslee, Microsoft's Representive from Washington state. He was in on the recent PAC trip to India and stated that he'll oppose anti-outsourcing bills.
Now if he were a Republican you'll hear screams from the left about how this benefits large multinationals, but strangely the left has been quiet as he's a Democrat. And like Republicans are going to make hey out of this issue anyway.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

And like Republicans are going to make hey out of this issue anyway.

Hopefully this issue won't become a political football, especially for conservatives where if you criticize the policy you must be a socialist commie. Or a corporate bashing liberal. Without a middle class there won't be an America, it's what made it.

[gcruse]

State's rights seem to be conflicting with a man's right to conduct his business as he sees fit. The feds can knock off the H1B's if they want to help. Otherwise, outsourcing must be no less illegal than moving offshore. It sucks, but the alternative, criminalizing hiring, stinks.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Outsourcing is relatively new thanks to computer technology. But government can if they wish tax or not award contracts to companies if they engage in that behavior. Moving offshore to third world countries is new too thanks to free trade agreements. In the past those companies would have had tariffs slapped on their cheap labor products. Reagan did it frequently.

Yes companies are free to move wherever they want, I just wish the government would do what it used to, protect American jobs from foreign dumpers. And as you mention the H1-B program can be cut back also.