The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a new rule on Thursday that would significantly increase the minimum pay for software developers and other workers in the H-1B visa program, as well as several other visa categories. The proposed pay floors would rise by 21% to 33%, depending on the worker’s experience level.
Key Details:
- Proposed pay increase: 21% to 33% based on experience
- Affects: H-1B visa holders and other visa categories
- Previous similar proposal: Introduced at the end of President Trump’s term but was later dropped by the Biden administration
- Critics argue the H-1B program has been abused by employers hiring foreign workers at lower wages
The proposed changes come amid ongoing debates about the H-1B program, which is often utilized by major tech companies facing domestic worker shortages. Critics have long contended that the program allows employers to undercut U.S. wages by hiring foreign workers at lower pay. However, some studies indicate there is little evidence of a significant pay gap among workers with similar qualifications.
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Source: Daniel Horne