"This ensures American employers have access to the talent they need, while removing incentives for companies to undercut American wages and outsource jobs," he said.The legislation, called the High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017, prioritises market-based allocation of visas to those companies willing to pay as much as 200 per cent of a wage calculated by the survey.The legislation also proposes eliminating the 'lowest pay' category. The raised salary level - to more than $130,000 - is more than double the current H-1B minimum wage of $60,000, which was established in 1989 and has since remained unchanged. It also removes paperwork burdens by streamlining H-1B filing requirements and reducing administrative costs.The legislation tightens employee protection by stipulating that employers may not reduce beneficiary wages, regardless of whether the deduction is in accordance with a voluntary authorisation by the employee.It makes exceptions for taxes, garnishments and deductions that are reasonable and customary in the occupation.In a related development, Senator Sherrod Brown announced the introduction of an H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act in the Senate. The Act, he said, would close loopholes in the H-1B and L-1 visa programs and provide increased protections for both US workers and visa holders. "We need to crack down on the fraud and abuse that allows corporations to avoid paying Americans fair wages and exploit foreign workers," said Brown.

Source: Times of India January 31, 2017 07:22 UTC