The VHP, World Hindu Council, threatened to boycott US Multi National Corporations in retaliation against a measure included in the stimulus package that protects US workers. The story was reported in PTI, Press Trust of India.
New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Terming as 'discriminatory' the US move to bar firms receiving government bailout from hiring Indian and other foreign workers through the skilled worker visa (H1-B) programme, the VHP today threatened to boycott goods of US-based MNCs in the country.
The proposed discriminatory clauses that US companies employing H1-B visa holders will not be eligible to receive any sanctions from the 787 billion USD stimulus package are hurting Indians abroad. We are determined to take up this issue in a similar fashion by disallowing
American products in India,
Togadia told PTI.
"If Green Card holding Americans-Indians think they are above all this and will not be hurt by the move, then they are living in fools paradise. Lakhs of Indians were thrown out without any mercy from Uganda, Fiji and most importantly in Kenya - the country of origin of new American President Barack Obama," he added.
The VHP demanded immediate intervention of the Indian government on the matter.
The organisation will launch a movement against 14 US based MNCs marketing their products and services in India if the decision of the US
government is not revoked, Togadia said.
The amendment, SA 306, was modified before passage to include language that explicitly avoids violating any existing trade agreements. Here is the text of the bill as presented to the Senate on February 5.
SA 306. Mr. SANDERS (for himself and Mr. GRASSLEY) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1, making
supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the
unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes; which was ordered
to lie on the table; as follows:
At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. HIRING AMERICAN WORKERS IN COMPANIES RECEIVING TARP FUNDING.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Employ American Workers Act''.
(b) Prohibition.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for any recipient of funding under title I of the
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) or section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 342 et seq.) to hire
any nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(h)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(h)(i)(b)).
(2) DEFINED TERM.--In this subsection, the term ``hire'' means to permit a new employee to commence a period of employment.
(c) Sunset Provision.--This section shall be effective during the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
The VHP has termed the American law that restricts non immigrant visas to any extent at all "discriminatory." Do Kossacks prioritize the EEO issues of American workers above Indian workers who would like to work in the US on visas?
Is a trade war with India or other nations imminent?