US business wants more immigrant workers
The Financial Times
www.ft.com
March 20, 2008
The growth in the US technology marketplace demands more foreign technology workers. The international mobility of highly qualified workers is the consequence of globalisation and technological change. Technological change is skill-biased. Mr Ganesan says, "Its not financial, it's not operational, it is simply getting the right talent." Hence technological change signifies a shift in the demand for labour in favour of highly skilled workers.
Unlike the politicians and media opinionators who focus on the dangers to the US posed by an estimated 12m "illegals" and call for ever-tighter controls, Mr Ganesan wants to open the doors to more foreigners. Unfortunately, filling the gaps is becoming harder as demand for staff exceeds visa quotas, and a rabid political climate makes reform hard to negotiate.
Mr Ganesan says “We are hurting because we can't get the right people at the right time. Ultimately the business takes a hit."
From a different angle on the same issue, there is strong opposition to filling US jobs with highly-skilled foreigners. “They have a huge negative impact on US programmers and engineers because they are being outbid," says Norm Matloff of the University of California and critic of immigration policy.
Mr Vivek Wadwha of Duke University points out the contribution made by immigrants to the US economy. He warns that current immigration policies could lead to a "reverse brain drain" as talented foreigners flock home.
The shortage of visas has already driven some companies to set up overseas offices to get around the problem. Mr Ganesan says he is planning to set up shop in Toronto, Canada.
A RIGHT FIT or A BUSINESS HIT ???
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