[TChris]

It's all about cheap indentured labor. The H-1B visa workers are obligated to the company for 6 years and cannot switch jobs even if offered a more competitive salary. That's not a FREE MARKET economy. It's an INDENTURED SERVANT market.

How is that not a free market? The indentured H-1B workers are free to accept the terms of the deal, before being hired, or not. Nobody kidnapped them or sold them into slavery.

Existing workers are, presumably, free to work for the same--lower--pay as the H-1B workers.

How is this not free market? Employers are free to find the best deal they can for high-tech labor. You're free to work for the lower price, and probably keep your job.

[fishhound]

It might not be so free if tehy are obligated to the one company that brought them.


My point earlier is that people who
filfull jobs as workers
are not the same as people
who create jobs.
He is saying two things at once....you know like a paradox thingy.

[avacado]

How is that not a free market? The indentured H-1B workers are free to accept the terms of the deal, before being hired, or not. Nobody kidnapped them or sold them into slavery.

It's not a free market when you bring in a labor force that is restricted from competing for higher salaries and must stay with a company for 6 years. I can accept the competition from foreign labor if they are allowed to compete for salaries and accept jobs offering higher salaries. In that situation the competition is fair and a free market. The current situation of H-1Bs not being able to accept other job offers makes it not a free market. They are not free to move to another company nor accept a higher salary offer.

[oceanview]

the free market would be to bring them in as citizens. but companies don't want that, they know if their visa is conditional on their employment, they will work for less. and they do, I see it everyday.

[newguy357]

How is that not a free market? The indentured H-1B workers are free to accept the terms of the deal...

It's not a free market because it is the government saying these H-1B visa workers can't switch jobs. It's a condition of their government issued visa. While I agree with you that protectionism is ultimately harmful, so is government intervention in this labor market. Sure, let the foreign workers in, but remove government interference with companies bidding against each other. That will drive up the wages of the H1B and prevent the dumping of American workers for a cheaper worker.

[glorgau]

How is that not a free market?

6 years is a long, long time in the IT market.

[fifthestate]

What do you do for a living? They should bring in a bunch of low wage foreigners to undercut your pay.

[RobbyS]

But if the rewards for technical training are kept low, that means that talent will not gravitate toward those jobs. This is one cause of poor performance in the public schools.