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True but the H1B scheme is used by companies to drive salaries down across the board. I would argue that this is its primary goal. So if American workers want $

True but the H1B scheme is used by companies to drive salaries down across the board. I would argue that this is its primary goal. So if American workers want $60k for a position, but you have a stack of pending H1Bs, you can offer it at $50k and then when no Americans take the position you hire an H1B instead. But now the standard rate for that position in your company is $50k and that's what Americans would have to work at, so technically there is no discrimination. Do that at enough companies (look at the list of signatories) and you can redefine the salary range of an entire industry. Someone should (I can't find any references) calculate what the true, competitive salary for programmers in SV would be without companies using H1Bs to drive down prices. I would bet it would be significantly higher than it is now.

kailuowang 13y ago
You are assuming that the industry can fill all such positions with immigrant workers. In reality, the supply of immigrant workers is no where near to satisfy that assumption especially if you consider the annual quote for H1B approvals (often than not such quote was exhausted the first couple of weeks when it became available).
goatforce5 13y ago
My wage as an E3 (ie, it's just like a H1B, but only for Australians) employee in the States was quite a bit higher than the prevailing wage at the time, FWIW. Note that the wages being offered are supposed to be pretty much common-knowledge: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm "On or within 30 days before the date the LCA is filed with ETA, provide notice of the employer's intent to hire H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 workers. The employer must provide this notice to the bargaining representative of workers in the occupation in which the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 worker will be employed. If there is no bargaining representative, the employer must post such notices in conspicuous locations at the intended place(s) of employment, or provide them electronically." We did spend a fair bit of time looking for the least conspicuous of all conspicuous places within the office to post my wage though. :)

kailuowang 13y ago

You are assuming that the industry can fill all such positions with immigrant workers. In reality, the supply of immigrant workers is no where near to satisfy that assumption especially if you consider the annual quote for H1B approvals (often than not such quote was exhausted the first couple of weeks when it became available).

goatforce5 13y ago

My wage as an E3 (ie, it's just like a H1B, but only for Australians) employee in the States was quite a bit higher than the prevailing wage at the time, FWIW. Note that the wages being offered are supposed to be pretty much common-knowledge: http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm http://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/h1b.htm "On or within 30 days before the date the LCA is filed with ETA, provide notice of the employer's intent to hire H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 workers. The employer must provide this notice to the bargaining representative of workers in the occupation in which the H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 worker will be employed. If there is no bargaining representative, the employer must post such notices in conspicuous locations at the intended place(s) of employment, or provide them electronically." We did spend a fair bit of time looking for the least conspicuous of all conspicuous places within the office to post my wage though. :)