US Major H-1B Fraud Probe Unveils Trump Official's Cognizant Link The U.S. Department of Labor’s Inspector General, Anthony D’Esposito, has announced a sweeping investigation into alleged fraud within the H-1B and PERM visa programs. The probe, part of a broader effort to combat labor trafficking and exploitation of foreign workers, has already led to the issuance of multiple subpoenas targeting companies suspected of engaging in coercive wage-kickback schemes. D’Esposito, speaking to Fox News, emphasized that the investigation represents the most aggressive action taken by an Inspector General against foreign labor fraud under the current administration. The H-1B visa, a non-immigrant work permit, enables U.S. employers to hire professionals in specialized occupations. Each year, thousands of Indian workers are hired through this program. The investigation suggests systemic abuses may be occurring, with whistleblowers raising concerns about major corporations, including Cognizant, a prominent IT services company. The probe aims to uncover fraudulent applications submitted by employers and labor brokers, which allegedly exploit foreign workers by subjecting them to exploitative wage arrangements. The Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) stated that the investigation has uncovered widespread schemes involving the misuse of visa programs. These practices, according to the OIG, undermine the integrity of labor programs intended to address genuine shortages rather than benefitting bad actors at the expense of American jobs. D’Esposito warned that the probe would work in tandem with the president and vice president’s fraud task force, signaling a coordinated effort to address the issue. A critical aspect of the investigation involves linking visa fraud to violent crimes.#us_department_of_labor #fox_news #cognizant #h1b_visa #anthony_desposito
LPG Crisis Disrupts IT Firms as Canteen Services Cut, Employees Told to Pack Lunches A severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has led to significant disruptions in the operations of major Indian IT firms, with companies like Infosys, TCS, Cognizant, and Wipro reducing or suspending canteen services. Employees are now being instructed to bring their own packed lunches, marking a shift from the usual convenience of office cafeterias. The crisis, attributed to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, has left many IT workers scrambling to adapt to the new norm, particularly those living in hostels or PGs where home cooking is not an option. The LPG shortage has forced companies to drastically cut food services, with some canteens operating only basic meals like dal and rice. For instance, Infosys’ Pune canteen committee advised employees to “carry their own tiffins” due to limited gas supplies, while TCS campuses in Pune and Bengaluru began serving only minimal options such as lemon rice and sandwiches. Cognizant’s Pune campus reportedly shut down live counters offering South Indian dishes and pulao, leaving only rice plates available. Similarly, Wipro’s Hinjewadi campus halted fast food and Chinese counters, relying solely on rice plates as vendors struggled with the gas crunch. The impact is most pronounced for employees without access to home cooking. Many IT workers, who often reside in PGs or hostels, rely on office canteens for meals. With canteens now serving only basic fare or operating at reduced capacity, thousands face the inconvenience of preparing their own food. Pavanjit Mane, President of the Forum for IT Employees Maharashtra, highlighted the plight of 2–3 lakh IT workers in Pune who depend entirely on canteens or eateries. He urged companies to consider allowing hybrid work arrangements until LPG supplies stabilize.#tcs #lpg_shortage #wipro #infosys #cognizant
