India takes on US at WTO over work visa rules
India demanded consultations over measures slapping fees on some kinds of temporary work visas for the United States
PHOTO: AFP
GENEVA:
India has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Washington over US rules on non-immigrant temporary working visas, the global trade body said on Friday.
India demanded consultations over measures slapping fees on some kinds of temporary work visas for the United States, as well as rules limiting how many visas are handed out.
India charged that the rules breached commitments Washington had made under international trade laws by treating Indians working in certain sectors, including in the computer and related services industries, within the United States less favourably than American citizens.
‘No support for policy that hurts country’
Requesting consultations is the first step in trade disputes at the Geneva-based body, which polices respect for global trade accords in an effort to offer its 162 member economies a level playing field.
The United States has 10 days to respond to India's complaint, and the consultations between the two must begin within 30 days and generally cannot last longer than two months.
If they fail to reach an agreement, the complainant can request that a panel of experts be established to study the dispute and reach a verdict.
India has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against Washington over US rules on non-immigrant temporary working visas, the global trade body said on Friday.
India demanded consultations over measures slapping fees on some kinds of temporary work visas for the United States, as well as rules limiting how many visas are handed out.
India charged that the rules breached commitments Washington had made under international trade laws by treating Indians working in certain sectors, including in the computer and related services industries, within the United States less favourably than American citizens.
‘No support for policy that hurts country’
Requesting consultations is the first step in trade disputes at the Geneva-based body, which polices respect for global trade accords in an effort to offer its 162 member economies a level playing field.
The United States has 10 days to respond to India's complaint, and the consultations between the two must begin within 30 days and generally cannot last longer than two months.
If they fail to reach an agreement, the complainant can request that a panel of experts be established to study the dispute and reach a verdict.