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Fast-track Visas
By Mary Gahan
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British computer specialists say they are losing their jobs to workers from the Indian sub-continent, because the government's work permit system is being abused.
The scheme was set up so that people from overseas could be employed quickly if they possessed skills which were in short supply in the UK.
On the Today programme, Lord Rooker defended the fast track visa system but he said if he is given details of specific instances of abuse the government will look at these and stamp out any abuse. He said the work permit system was designed to help British industry not put British workers out of a job.
The Professional Contractors' Group represents 15,000 IT workers. It has collected evidence which is now being handed over to the government. According to the group, this shows that big, reputable, companies are using the fast track system to replace UK staff with foreigners, who are cheaper to employ.
Few IT workers are prepared to speak publicly about what's happening, for fear of damaging their chances of employment. One contractor, who asked for his name to be withheld, said he was working at a blue-chip company when eight or nine software developers from India were employed to work on a particular programme.
He said: "It became very apparent they lacked the necessary skills and arguably still do."
"Eventually myself and another UK worker were replaced by these individuals, four of whom are currently working on this particular company's UK site and the remaining number, after their UK training, have returned to India to complete work remotely for that same client company."
The PCG says that more than three thousand of its members are currently looking for work.
One of the Indian companies which supplies overseas workers is Wipro. Sudip Nandy, the head of sales and marketing for Europe, says his company does bring people from India into the UK on fast track visas, but only where they have skills that are in short supply.
The 91热爆 Office also says the system is not being abused.
LINKS
NB. The 91热爆 cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites
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Are Indian IT workers a threat to British jobs? |
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91热爆 Office Minister, Lord Rooker. |
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