HCL: Locals To Reduce H-1B Visa Dependency

[Bathai_Babji]

HCL Technologies on Tuesday said it has "stepped up" efforts in the US for campus and entry-level hires to support growth in coming quarters even though a "very high percentage of employees" is already local hires.

There are concerns that the new government in the US, under Donald Trump, is likely to push for a stricter visa regime to curb "abuse" of H1-B and L1 visas used by foreign workers. Such a move will have a significant impact on Indian IT firms, which get about 60 per cent of their revenues from the US.

"We have really looked at our current base of employees and looked at which part of those could be replaced by local hiring... We are stepping up our campus and entry-level hiring in the US to support some of the growth that we will see in coming quarters," said HCL Technologies President and CEO C Vijayakumar.  

He added that the company has been applying for "less than 1,000 visas a year" on an average over the past 3-4 years. "It has been coming down. Our strategy has been in all IT outsourcing deals, we re-badge a lot of people from our clients and we hire people from local geographies. So, that's why we have a very high percentage of our employees in the US who are local hires," he added.

While Vijayakumar did not disclose specific number of local hires, he said the company currently recruits over 55 per cent local employees in the US.

Local hiring may result in lower operating margins as this increases operating costs.

HCL Technologies, however, did not provide guidance on the possible impact in case any adverse regulations are introduced.

It has maintained its outlook of 19.5-20.5 per cent operating margin for 2016-17.

In terms of revenue, it expects growth to be between 12-14 per cent in constant currency for the fiscal, based on 2015-16 currency rates.

About demand environment in the US, Mr Vijayakumar said there is no reduction in spending or outsourcing that the company has seen yet.

"Intuitively, you will feel that they are cautious. But if you really see, no one has done anything different. They continue to do the same programmes, similar RFPs (request for proposals). Of course, there is a little more conversation on how much visa dependent are you, will you have an impact?" he said.

Vijayakumar said while there may be pros and cons of some of the decisions taken in the US, largely there will be a "business friendly" environment.  (PTI)

[lovable]

suthi mettaga koduthunammmm

[speedracer]

Alaney cheptaru, emi cheyaru, publicity to avoid attention. All noida and chennai chepala batch 

[user789]

Vend0rs already saying at this time no H One even for CTwoC..

[TheBrahmabull]

2 hours ago, Bathai_Babji said:

HCL Technologies on Tuesday said it has "stepped up" efforts in the US for campus and entry-level hires to support growth in coming quarters even though a "very high percentage of employees" is already local hires.

There are concerns that the new government in the US, under Donald Trump, is likely to push for a stricter visa regime to curb "abuse" of H1-B and L1 visas used by foreign workers. Such a move will have a significant impact on Indian IT firms, which get about 60 per cent of their revenues from the US.

"We have really looked at our current base of employees and looked at which part of those could be replaced by local hiring... We are stepping up our campus and entry-level hiring in the US to support some of the growth that we will see in coming quarters," said HCL Technologies President and CEO C Vijayakumar.  

He added that the company has been applying for "less than 1,000 visas a year" on an average over the past 3-4 years. "It has been coming down. Our strategy has been in all IT outsourcing deals, we re-badge a lot of people from our clients and we hire people from local geographies. So, that's why we have a very high percentage of our employees in the US who are local hires," he added.

While Vijayakumar did not disclose specific number of local hires, he said the company currently recruits over 55 per cent local employees in the US.

Local hiring may result in lower operating margins as this increases operating costs.

HCL Technologies, however, did not provide guidance on the possible impact in case any adverse regulations are introduced.

It has maintained its outlook of 19.5-20.5 per cent operating margin for 2016-17.

In terms of revenue, it expects growth to be between 12-14 per cent in constant currency for the fiscal, based on 2015-16 currency rates.

About demand environment in the US, Mr Vijayakumar said there is no reduction in spending or outsourcing that the company has seen yet.

"Intuitively, you will feel that they are cautious. But if you really see, no one has done anything different. They continue to do the same programmes, similar RFPs (request for proposals). Of course, there is a little more conversation on how much visa dependent are you, will you have an impact?" he said.

Vijayakumar said while there may be pros and cons of some of the decisions taken in the US, largely there will be a "business friendly" environment.  (PTI)

hahahah... tellollu assalu dekaru ee companies hire chesukuntam anna kooda first thing.. Seen TCS tried this and failed miserably as salaries are very low.. not sure how HCL would be different from TCS,, moreover fresher locals in IT ? hahaha joke 

[dalapathi]

1 minute ago, TheBrahmabull said:

hahahah... tellollu assalu dekaru ee companies hire chesukuntam anna kooda first thing.. Seen TCS tried this and failed miserably as salaries are very low.. not sure how HCL would be different from TCS,, moreover fresher locals in IT ? hahaha joke 

H4 EADs, OPTs ni 3yrs itla hire chesukuntaremo

[perugu_vada]

Hire aithr chestaru, kani valla ni highly skilled positions lo ela place chestaru ?

[princeofheaven]

49 minutes ago, perugu_vada said:

Hire aithr chestaru, kani valla ni highly skilled positions lo ela place chestaru ?

ee companies lo anni skilled positions ee kadu, useless support and reporting panulu kuda untai. a panulu ki they can use locals and train them

[alpachinao]

24 minutes ago, princeofheaven said:

ee companies lo anni skilled positions ee kadu, useless support and reporting panulu kuda untai. a panulu ki they can use locals and train them

Mostly a position lo citizens vuntaru 

[Mr Mirchi]

6 hours ago, TheBrahmabull said:

hahahah... tellollu assalu dekaru ee companies hire chesukuntam anna kooda first thing.. Seen TCS tried this and failed miserably as salaries are very low.. not sure how HCL would be different from TCS,, moreover fresher locals in IT ? hahaha joke 

HCL pedha pinaasi pippu waste chetha lafangi dash dashh

interview mundhu oka rate cheptharu.. interview ayyaka thaggistharu rate.. 2nd ayyaka inka thaggistharuu

[perugu_vada]

2 hours ago, alpachinao said:

Mostly a position lo citizens vuntaru 

Agreed,

[perugu_vada]

2 hours ago, Mr Mirchi said:

HCL pedha pinaasi pippu waste chetha lafangi dash dashh

interview mundhu oka rate cheptharu.. interview ayyaka thaggistharu rate.. 2nd ayyaka inka thaggistharuu

Andharu anthe now a days, recruiter gadu entha thakuva ki candidate ni theskosthe antha manchidi vallaki

[boeing747]

3 hours ago, Mr Mirchi said:

HCL pedha pinaasi pippu waste chetha lafangi dash dashh

interview mundhu oka rate cheptharu.. interview ayyaka thaggistharu rate.. 2nd ayyaka inka thaggistharuu

+1111