Building Careers and Shaping Public Policy

2 July 2003 

The Honorable Robert B. Zoellick
US Trade Representative
Office of the United States Trade Representative
600 - 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20508

Re: Request for a Meeting to Discuss GATS-Mode 4 (Movement of Natural Persons)

Dear Ambassador Zoellick:

I am writing to you to express IEEE-USA's very serious concerns over the current round of WTO GATS negotiations. We believe that any concessions in the horizontal commitments over Mode 4, movement of natural persons, will be harmful to U.S. engineers and the U.S.'s ability to continue to lead the world in technological innovation. Technological innovation is at the heart of our country's national and economic security, and U.S. engineers are major drivers of technological innovation.

We understand that developing countries, such as India, are requesting that the U.S. substantially alter current commitments on Mode 4 for Intra-Corporate Transfers and Fashion Models and Specialty Occupations. Specifically, those countries are requesting that quotas for Fashion Models and Specialty Occupations should be removed, as well as safeguards for U.S. workers such as ensuring that they are paid the prevailing wage, etc. We also note that recently negotiated bi-lateral agreements with Chile and Singapore would preclude Congress from restricting Intra-Corporate Transfers.

There has been rampant abuse of the H-1B and L-1 visa categories. Any lessening of the safeguards by your negotiating team will worsen an intolerable situation.

For examples of abuse, see: "L-1's Slip Past H-1B Curbs," eWeek, Jan 6, 2003; "A Loophole as Big as a Mainframe," Business Week, Mar 10, 2003; "Displaced Americans," Washington Times, Mar 14, 2003; and "Magna Cum Unemployed," Computerworld, Apr 28, 2003.

We believe that acquiescing to these demands will cause irreparable damage to hundreds of thousands of U.S. engineers and technology workers and to the country's national and economic security.

We would like to meet with you or the appropriate Assistant Trade Representatives at your earliest convenience to discuss our concerns and find out how our organization can best provide input to your office. For more information, please contact Vin O'Neill in our Washington Office at 202.785.0017.

Sincerely,

James V. Leonard, P.E.
2003 IEEE-USA President