I Told Those Brits - But They Wouldn't Listen
I Told Those Brits - But They Wouldn't Listen
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2002 10:53 AM
H-1B and JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER
www.ZaZona.com
In August British techies thought they won a victory by taking programming
off their shortage list so that Indian programmers couldn't be imported
anymore. I said that this was a hollow victory that their greedy companies
will subvert. James Leckie, who wrote an article in ContractorsUK, said that
I was being "overly cynical" because contractors in the UK have more control
than their US counterparts. Mike Magee of the Inquirer took exception to my
characterization of the British as naive.
Since I enjoy being able to say "I TOLD YOU SO", I will send them this
newsletter.
The first article describes how companies in Britain are using an
intra-company transfer visa to import cheap labor. This British loophole is
very similar to the "L" visa that is being used in the United States to
import the cheap labor.
The second article talks about how the British Minister of State, Stephen
Timms, just went to India to do some big time kowtowing. I wouldn't be
surprised if he apologized for the rude behavior of those British
programmers that demanded a halt to importing workers. Of course let's don't
forget that Bush was busy licking Vicente Fox's boots in Mexico over the
weekend.
http://www.indiaexpress.com/news/technology/20021028-1.html
Britain denies freeze on hiring Indian IT professionals
17.35 IST 28th Oct 2002
By IndiaExpress Bureau
Britain on Monday denied that there was any freeze on hiring Indian IT
professionals following changes in the UK's work permit needs.
British E-Commerce Minister Stephen Timms told reporters at the Bangalore
IT.com which began in the city on Monday, that in the wake of a regular
review of Britain's "shortage occupation list", IT skills had been removed
from the list.
"That means we no longer have an overall shortage of IT skills in the UK."
But, Indian IT companies operating in Britain could still use the
intra-company transfer facility to post their own experienced employees to
their UK offices exactly as before, he said.
"Many of the Indian companies are not going to see difficulties. In
practice, it (changes in work permit requirements) is not going to cause
difficulties," Timms said.
There was no freeze either on hiring "Indian techies", he said, adding that
if any British company wanted to hire, it could do so after demonstrating
that the staff required was not locally available.
On Britain's investment plans for India, he said he was on a fact-finding
mission to India. A number of companies were accompanying him looking for
partners.
Post-September 11 situation has not brought about any dramatic change in the
profile of software industry in Britain, which continued to "do well" and
was in "good shape", recording a five-per cent growth.
http://www.siliconindia.com/tech/tech_pgtwo.asp?newsno=17312&newscat=Technology
British e-commerce minister to visit India to boost trade
IANS
Saturday, October 26, 2002
British Minister of State for E-commerce and Competitiveness Stephen Timms
arrives in India next week to promote bilateral trade and investment in the
IT and communications technology sectors.
NEW DELHI: Timms will lead a British delegation to Bangalore IT.COM 2002, an
annual international technology conference that starts Monday, said a press
statement issued by the British High Commission.
The minister will speak at the opening of the five-day event and visit IT
companies in Bangalore and New Delhi. Timms will also meet Sumitra Mahajan,
minister of state for communications and IT, in the national capital.
"Our two countries have always enjoyed close working relations in particular
in the technology sector," Timms was quoted as saying on the eve of his
visit to India.
"India has an extremely strong technology skills base from which Britain can
learn a great deal. In return, we can offer India a thriving technology
market. I hope my visit will reinforce the well-established links between
India and Britain."
http://www.austin360.com/aas/news/ap/ap_story.html/Washington/AP.V9599.AP-US-Mexico.html
Bush, Fox Discuss Migration Issues
By GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press Writer
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP)--President Bush and Mexican President Vicente
Fox discussed migration issues Sunday, offering no signs of forward movement
on Fox's goal of a better deal for Mexican migrants who cross the border
illegally.
Bush said he shares Fox's concerns about migration, but gave no indication
of how--or when--he planned to address it. The two leaders met on the
sidelines of the two-day Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, hosted
here by Fox.
But Secretary of State Colin Powell said the climate may be more favorable
in 2003.
Bush said, ``We have had a mutual desire to deal with the migration issue in
a way that recognizes reality and in a way that treats the Mexican citizens
who are in the United States with respect. We will continue to work on this
issue.'' Bush spoke with the Mexican president seated nearby.
Mexico wants legal status for many of the estimated 3 million Mexicans
living in the United States as part of a broader liberalization program.
The two leaders discussed the issue a week before the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks last year, and Bush seemed receptive.
In the aftermath, however, the mood in the United States shifted to one that
emphasized the need for greater security along America's borders. Support
for migration reform virtually disappeared in Washington.
Powell acknowledged that trend but said, ``As we get to a more normal life
and as we bring our homeland into a firmer basis of security ... I think
some of the concerns that Americans have and Congress has had with respect
to migration issues might be in a better position.''
The Bush-Fox consultation was their first since Fox canceled an August visit
to four Texas cities and to Bush's ranch to protest the state's execution of
convicted police killer Javier Suarez Medina, whom Fox said was a Mexican
national.
Indeed, their joint appearance contrasted sharply with the ostentatious
displays of friendship between the two men last year and U.S.-Mexican
relations appeared at a low point not seen since the 1980s. There were no
remarks by Fox welcoming Bush to Mexico, his aloofness reflecting his
disappointment that the migration issue and others vital to the relationship
had been largely set aside.
However, Fox was more conciliatory in his appearance with Bush than he has
been at the APEC meeting.
While he criticized U.S. farm subsidies all week, he spoke Saturday of
negotiations between the two countries on agricultural duties, which he said
were making ``important progress.'' And while he has complained of lack of
action on the migration accord, he spoke of ``complete agreement'' with Bush
on how to improve conditions in the Mexican countryside, and invited Bush to
Mexico for a state visit.
``At this time there aren't specific solutions, because the topics are
varied,'' Fox said.
AP-NY-10-26-02 1730EDT
Copyright 2002, The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP
Online news report may not be published, broadcast or redistributed without
the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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