4 ms·

If it was auctioned to the highest bidder, then only software engineers predominately in Silicon Valley would make up 99% of all visas.

• stale2002 10y ago
  You are right. That is what would happen. If other companies don't like it, then they should make their salaries competitive.
  • HarryHirsch 10y ago
    But the other salaries are competitive when scaled by cost of living, it's that SV and NYC salaries are so high because there's a housing shortage going on. Also: quality of life, who wants to live in a shoebox in Oakland? People will trade a lower salary for a less insane commute. One theory is that software is concentrated in SV because employee turnover is so fast in that line of work, it's quickest to find a new job in SV as opposed to anywhere else. The dominance of SV is people taking a salary hit to insure against catastrophic outcomes, i.e. running out of savings/unemployment and health insurance. Why not have a commission decide on how big the shortage is and then issue green cards depending on occupation? Whoever wins one can work for whomever is pleases him, instead of being tied to the employer for years and years. Yes, I know it's possible to change jobs, but it's not for those with weak stomachs or dependents.
    • xiaoma 10y ago
      Ebay auctions aren't scaled by cost of living adjustments either. The highest bidder wins. I agree that work permission should be either open or open after the first year, though. It's a huge artificial inefficiency to have talented people stuck in a sub optimal place for years just due to fear of losing residency if they change jobs.