The top labour official of North Carolina has supported a federal proposal to increase the minimum wages employers will have to offer to hire foreign workers under H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 visa programmes.

North Carolina Labour Commissioner Luke Farley said American workers were being hurt by foreign visa programmes that depress wages.

“H-1B visas take jobs from American and North Carolina workers. Last week, I submitted official comments in support of a new rule proposed by the Trump Administration to make sure H-1B visa holders don’t undercut wages for American workers,” Mr. Farley said in a statement.