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Americans Shut Out of IT Industry
(IRN)-A group that says it speaks for American workers says Americans are shut out of jobs in the information technology industry.

Last year, 8,920 Illinois companies requested permits to fill 11,847 jobs with foreign citizens, under the H1-b visa program, according to the group Bright Future Jobs. The jobs average wage was $67,143, compared to the average Illinois wage of $42,540.

This is legal, but it should not be, says executive director Donna Conroy. "We need to restore equal opportunity, the chance to compete for a job opening we are qualified to do," she said.

Conroy says it has been the habit of IT employers over the last two decades to look to India and China for workers.

The H1-b requests came from employers in 57 Illinois counties in 2009. Job titles include database administrator, programmer, business consultant and IT consultant.

(Illinois Radio Network)
10 06 10 by Newsroom
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