H-1B visa Row: Investigation in US; Indian Govt to save Infosys, TCS?

New Delhi, June 15: Days after reports about an investigation against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday said the government will intervene if the need arises.

TCS and Infosys, the two IT giants, have been accused of violating H1B visa rules in US, hence, the two companies faced a probe by US officials.

While commenting on the investigation, Ravi Shankar Prasad was quoted as saying, "I am sure these two companies will be able to address this issue properly, they are very reputed companies and the government fully appreciates the good work they have done over the years. If the visa issue ultimately requires certain other considerations... at government level, we will consider that."

What's the controversy?

US media reports recently claimed that the Labour Department has opened an investigation against TCS and Infosys for "possible violations of rules for visas for foreign technology workers under contracts they held with an electric utility Southern California Edison".

However, officials of both TCS and Infosys overruled such allegations against the companies and said that they are "fully compliant" with the immigration rules.

What's H-1B visa?

Often used by the IT firms, H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in speciality occupations.

Infosys, in the past, has faced visa-related issues when one of its former employees, Jack Palmer filed a whistle-blower lawsuit, saying he had been punished and sidelined by company executives after he reported of witnessing widespread visa fraud.

Industry body Nasscom said attempts were being made to portray the Indian IT sector negatively without paying attention to "facts and logic".

Nasscom President R Chandrashekhar said its members continue to cooperate with the US authorities in respect of any requests for information.

The US is the largest market for the over $140 billion Indian IT services industry. Exports account for over $98 billion.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)