Job visas only for highly skilled, well-paid foreigners

Labour Ministry's one per cent workforce cap for foreigners nullified

To prevent foreigners filling the non-technical jobs in the country, the Home Ministry has made it clear that foreigners will be accepted only for highly skilled jobs, and if only that they draw a salary of not less than $25,000 a year.

In an order, the Home Ministry nullified a Labour Ministry circular that capped the foreign contingent of a workforce at one per cent of the total strength in any project, with a minimum of five and the maximum of 20 people. The Ministry said employment visa shall not be granted for jobs for which qualified Indians are available, nor for routine, ordinary, secretarial and clerical jobs.