Mohandas Pai Slams 'Cheap Labour' Narrative as Trump Hikes H-1B Visa Fees
Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, has spoken out against the portrayal of Indian tech workers as 'cheap labour' in the U.S. President Trump's recent decision to increase H-1B visa application fees to $100,000 has sparked this debate.
Pai criticized the narrative, stating that Indian companies already pay high salaries to their H-1B employees, with a minimum of $100,000 last year. He warned against creating an enemy out of India due to the success of Indian workers in the U.S.
The fee increase, however, is unlikely to have a major impact in the short term. It applies only for the next year and will not affect the renewal process for existing H-1B holders, of which there are 235,000 Indian workers. Pai expressed concern not about the fee hike itself, but the 'hostile environment' created by rhetoric against Indian workers. U.S. tech companies, particularly those in Silicon Valley, are most affected as they heavily rely on the H-1B program to hire foreign talent.
The increased H-1B visa application fee is set to impact U.S. tech companies in the short term, but existing Indian H-1B holders remain unaffected. Pai's comments highlight the importance of accurate representation and a welcoming environment for Indian tech workers in the U.S.
