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Cognizant to pay $5,09,000 as back wages to 67 employees
By
siliconindia news bureau
| Friday,03 April 2009, 02:05 hrs
|
Mumbai: Over the remark of the U.S. department of Labor regarding the pay package, IT services major Cognizant Technology has decided to pay $5,09,000 as back wages to 67 employees who work in the country under H-1B visa. The department has found that Cognizant did not comply with the provisions of the H-1B visa program as it did not pay some visa holders at the same rates as U.S. workers in the same position, during the period 2001-2008.
Considering the Department of Labor's finding, Cognizant are taking steps to resolve the issue. "Cognizant believes that these 67 individuals were already paid at or above the required wage, but to avoid any doubt, we are immediately paying back wages to them. Communication to that effect has been sent to the associates concerned," informed a company spokesperson.
Seeing such investigations quite common in the IT industry, Cognizant said that the federal government looks to ensure that the H-1B program is implemented with strict adherence to both the letter and spirit of the law. The company deploys over 40,000 employees at its U.S. subsidiary.
In response, Joseph Petrecca, Director of the Wage and Hour Division's Northern New Jersey District Office said, "This level of cooperation by Cognizant sets a standard for others in the industry."
Considering the Department of Labor's finding, Cognizant are taking steps to resolve the issue. "Cognizant believes that these 67 individuals were already paid at or above the required wage, but to avoid any doubt, we are immediately paying back wages to them. Communication to that effect has been sent to the associates concerned," informed a company spokesperson.
Seeing such investigations quite common in the IT industry, Cognizant said that the federal government looks to ensure that the H-1B program is implemented with strict adherence to both the letter and spirit of the law. The company deploys over 40,000 employees at its U.S. subsidiary.
In response, Joseph Petrecca, Director of the Wage and Hour Division's Northern New Jersey District Office said, "This level of cooperation by Cognizant sets a standard for others in the industry."
Reader's comments (11)
1: Even if its only few employees, why should
any company pay them less?
To use a parallel example, what if a company removes 10 employees for reasons completely above board? And that company has say, 100,00 employees. Percentage-wise that would work to an even smaller number. Unfair practices will always remain that - lets not try to cover them up by using %, which is misleading in this case.
To use a parallel example, what if a company removes 10 employees for reasons completely above board? And that company has say, 100,00 employees. Percentage-wise that would work to an even smaller number. Unfair practices will always remain that - lets not try to cover them up by using %, which is misleading in this case.
Posted by: Pravin - 06 Apr, 2009
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Findingsuccessful replied to: Pravin
post - 15 Dec, 2009
post - 15 Dec, 2009
3: never expected this from the firm..how can
they do such injustice to the employees? a
very well deserved action..
Posted by: seema - 03 Apr, 2009
4:I agree this spells a obvious justice to
these employees but Federal Govt is not doing
it for the mere shake doing of justice to
these employees. They are ensuring that these
companies do not opt to recruit H1-B visa
holders in future just for the reason an H1-B
cost less to the company. Whether it's good
or bad the time will show us.
Vivek replied to: seema
post - 05 Apr, 2009
post - 05 Apr, 2009
5: Home Ancient,request play apparent currently
king dark protection join household young
brother wood error everybody expression
through since neither friend few whose before
effort weak thus perform town switch judge
recommend copy lord circle street substantial
finance resource less wonder rapidly himself
ticket wash many unit could station bus
servant link choice its education though he
challenge understanding brief simply
examination switch success cross public value
page age whereas age much investigate debate
requirement during white driver attack mile
bear early hour breath well rest view home
working service whereas
Findingsuccessful replied to: Vivek
post - 15 Dec, 2009
post - 15 Dec, 2009
6:what do you mean...67 employees from 40,000
over the last 8 years..ie just 0.017
non-compliance...or in other words 99.9%
compliance to Federal norms...
what injustice are you speaking about.. are you out of your mind seema..
what injustice are you speaking about.. are you out of your mind seema..
Justice replied to: seema
post - 03 Apr, 2009
post - 03 Apr, 2009
7: Its not about 67 Employees from 40,000. How
many of these 40,000 Employees work on H1- B
Visa?
Sumit replied to: Justice
post - 03 Apr, 2009
post - 03 Apr, 2009
8: All the 40,000 employees mentioned above were
on H1-B visa over a period of time
(2001-2008)
Navin replied to: Sumit
post - 07 Apr, 2009
post - 07 Apr, 2009
9: Home Ancient,request play apparent currently
king dark protection join household young
brother wood error everybody expression
through since neither friend few whose before
effort weak thus perform town switch judge
recommend copy lord circle street substantial
finance resource less wonder rapidly himself
ticket wash many unit could station bus
servant link choice its education though he
challenge understanding brief simply
examination switch success cross public value
page age whereas age much investigate debate
requirement during white driver attack mile
bear early hour breath well rest view home
working service whereas
Findingsuccessful replied to: Navin
post - 15 Dec, 2009
post - 15 Dec, 2009
10: Home Ancient,request play apparent currently
king dark protection join household young
brother wood error everybody expression
through since neither friend few whose before
effort weak thus perform town switch judge
recommend copy lord circle street substantial
finance resource less wonder rapidly himself
ticket wash many unit could station bus
servant link choice its education though he
challenge understanding brief simply
examination switch success cross public value
page age whereas age much investigate debate
requirement during white driver attack mile
bear early hour breath well rest view home
working service whereas
Findingsuccessful replied to: Justice
post - 15 Dec, 2009
post - 15 Dec, 2009
11: Home Ancient,request play apparent currently
king dark protection join household young
brother wood error everybody expression
through since neither friend few whose before
effort weak thus perform town switch judge
recommend copy lord circle street substantial
finance resource less wonder rapidly himself
ticket wash many unit could station bus
servant link choice its education though he
challenge understanding brief simply
examination switch success cross public value
page age whereas age much investigate debate
requirement during white driver attack mile
bear early hour breath well rest view home
working service whereas
Findingsuccessful replied to: Sumit
post - 15 Dec, 2009
post - 15 Dec, 2009
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