India, May 13 -- The United States government has proposed a significant increase in the minimum wages that employers must pay when hiring foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. The administration says this change is a long-overdue step to protect American workers.

The proposal was introduced by the US Department of Labor on March 27 and is currently open for public comments until May 26. However, this move could significantly affect hiring in the US tech industry.

The new rule seeks to raise minimum wages across four categories of foreign workers from entry-level to the most experienced by around 30 per cent over previously fixed limits, according to Outlook Business.

Under the current system, the prevailing wages stand at USD 7...