US Tech Firm Accused of Exploiting Indian Worker with Caste-Based Coercion, Wage Theft
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A shocking case of labor exploitation has been reported in the US, with an Indian tech professional alleging that his employer, SiriSoft, used caste-based coercion and wage theft to control him. Amrutesh Vallabhaneni, who holds an H-1B visa, claims that the company and its CEO, Pavan Tata, threatened to deport him if he didn't comply with their demands. Vallabhaneni, who moved to the US on an F-1 student visa in 2015, was promised an H-1B nomination by SiriSoft, which would have granted him a green card. However, the company allegedly used this promise to coerce him into agreeing to their conditions, including working underpaid and being forced to cover his own salary for six months. Jay Palmer, a consultant who helped prepare the lawsuit, compared the situation to the popular Netflix series 'Squid Game,' saying that Indian workers in the US are often subjected to exploitative conditions. 'The culture is extremely exploitative,' he stated. The lawsuit alleges that SiriSoft violated labor regulations by not paying Vallabhaneni the mandated prevailing wage and by requiring him to cover his own salary. The company also threatened to revoke his H-1B visa if he didn't comply with their demands, leaving him unable to leave the company. Vallabhaneni's situation is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by Indian workers in the US. Despite receiving a guaranteed wage from the Department of Labor, he often earned just enough to cover rent and essential expenses, leading to health insurance lapses and missed credit payments. The lawsuit demands compensation and legal fees from SiriSoft and seeks a jury trial to recover all damages. This case highlights the need for stricter regulations to protect workers from exploitation and ensure that they are treated fairly and with dignity.
