Nasscom calls for fresh pact on worker mobility with the UK

The Dollar Business Bureau 

Concerned with the proposed changes by UK in the visa system that will have an impact on migration of skilled IT workers, industry body Nasscom on Friday called for a pact on high-skilled worker mobility between India and UK to protect the economic interests of both countries.

Nasscom said that the migration of IT workers should be considered as a trade priority than an immigration issue.

“Indian IT companies play a key role in driving UK's growth and prosperity by significantly enhancing productivity and global competitiveness of British businesses, contributing to overall growth and job creation of the UK economy,” it said.

The software body said it intends to focus on the opportunities that Prime Minister of UK, Theresa May's upcoming visit offers, for a new approach to skilled IT mobility as part of a likely new trade agreement between the two nations.

It further said that the high value and fast growing tech sector relies on effective immigration policy.

An effective policy should attract highly skilled workers and reduce barriers in the movement of talented people between the two nations, it said.

The UK should have in place ‘right’ policies to encourage temporary immigration, and reduce barriers in the movement of talented people, it added.

The UK Home Office announced new visa norms, under which, if anyone applies for visa after November 24 under the category of Tier 2 intra-company transfer (ICT)  they would have to meet a higher salary limit requirement of 30,000 pounds from the previous 20,800 pounds.

The ICT category route is majorly used by Indian IT companies in the UK. Earlier this year, the Migration Advisory Committee of UK had found that Indian IT workers comprised almost 90% of the visas issued under this route.

The proposed visa policy changes come just days before the British PM three-day visit to India starting on November 6.