US states will not ban job outsourcing: Congressman

Joseph Crowley, a visiting US Congressman, has said a New Jersey bill that seeks to ban outsourcing of technical jobs to non-US entities is an unhealthy legislation and such laws will not find favour with other American states.

"I don't think this is a healthy legislation, as outsourcing results in a win-win situation for both the countries," Crowley, the New York Congressman, told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised by Confederation of Indian Industry and National Association of Software and Service Companies in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Crowley, who heads India Caucus, is visiting India along with a group of US legislators. He allayed fears that Indian software industry and professionals would be gradually barred from operating in the US.

"About 2.6 million jobs were lost in the US during the last two years, with a million quarter from New York itself. This is a highly sensitive issue and we'll have to guarantee jobs to our citizens," he said, adding outsourcing increased job opportunities in both India and US.

Earlier, speaking at the seminar Crowley said India was an "elephant" among Asian tigers. "India might have a slow start, but once set off there is no stopping the country."   

Sheila Jackson Lee, a US legislator, said reduction in number of visas to US, which would be reviewed this November, was due to a slowdown in the US economy.

"This is not a negative move, because as economy revives the cap will be also raised," she added. Talking on the Enron issue, Lee said that more transparency should be brought in to check unethical practices.