India to cap job visas for foreigners

New Delhi: Only one highly skilled foreign worker will be given employment visa for every 100 Indians employed, the federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has said.

The Indian Express reports that the move comes amid concerns about the rising number of Chinese workers in India, many of whom are allegedly without legal documents for employment.

An office memorandum issued by the Ministry said that no company will be permitted to bring any unskilled, semi-skilled or skilled persons from overseas. Highly skilled persons and professionals may be granted employment visas to the extent of 1 per cent of the total persons employed, the statement said.

“The policy is still in force, no questions,” a ministry official told the Indian Express, adding that enforcement was up to states and the Ministry of Home Affairs. “We do not have the machinery for enforcement,” the official added.