Welcome to Mobility Minute, a newsletter published every Friday byWorldwide ERC®for the benefit of members and the global mobility and relocation industry. Here’s a quick glimpse of what you’ll find in this week’s issue:
New H-1B Visa Data Underscores Need for Reform
Challenges Related to Relocating Schools for Employees’ Children
Worldwide ERC Joins Letter to Congress on Immigration Reform
We Want Your Feedback!
Volunteers Are Vital to the Workforce Mobility Industry
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New H-1B Visa Data Underscores Need for Reform
Recently released figures on H-1B visa applications from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) emphasize the critical need for policy reforms that can support talent mobility professionals as they build workforces to meet their organization’s needs in the modern economy.
Challenges Related to Relocating Schools for Employees’ Children
The COVID-19 pandemic added more challenges to the already difficult task of moving employees to different locations. One particularly complicated part of this process is finding new schools for the employees’ children. Based on information from Relocate USA, the main reason that people working abroad come back home earlier than planned is due to issues with their children’s schooling.
Why is this important?
Mobility industry professionals must be more thorough in verifying school information for their clients, as school capacities can change due to increased population in certain areas.
Worldwide ERC® Joins Letter to Congress on Immigration Reform
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the Legal Immigration Border Enforcement Reform This Year (LIBERTY) Campaign on 1 May, addressing immigration reform and border security. Worldwide ERC® and over 400 organizations supported the campaign by signing a letter sent to Congress. Despite the current lack of bipartisan support, the Chamber aims to propose reform ideas and strengthen border security based on inputs from representatives of both parties, emphasizing its importance to the U.S. economy and employers.
Why is this important?
The LIBERTY Campaign's letter to Congress outlines key reforms for the U.S. immigration system and border security, including increasing resources at the southern border, raising annual quotas for employment-based visas, and creating new visa options for international students, entrepreneurs, and high-demand workers. The letter marks the first step in the campaign’s efforts.
Worldwide ERC® publishes content on multiple channels: quarterly in Mobility magazine, weekly in the Mobility Minute e-newsletter, and regularly on the Mobility News blog. But we want to know: Are we hitting the mark? What do mobility professionals want and need from us, and how can we do better?
Research is at the heart of Worldwide ERC, so we’ve put together a seven-minute survey to help us understand how to better serve you. Your answers will be completely anonymous. Please respond by Wednesday, 17 May.
Volunteers Are Vital to the Workforce Mobility Industry
Global Volunteer Month was in April, and we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who contributes their skills and resources to support Worldwide ERC® and the workforce mobility industry. The industry thrives due to the human element, including talent, in-house mobility professionals, and service providers. Almost 200 mobility professionals from over 15 countries support Worldwide ERC in various volunteer roles. These volunteers’ efforts are vital in strengthening and enriching the overall industry.
The Biden administration will terminate COVID-19 vaccine mandates for international travelers and specific workplaces, coinciding with the end of the coronavirus-related public health emergency. This decision arrives approximately two years after the mandates’ initial introduction for international travelers, federal employees, and contractors. — The Hill
A World Economic Forum report predicts that nearly 25% of jobs will change in the next five years, with some being eliminated and others created. The net result is expected to be a reduction of 14 million jobs, as 83 million roles vanish and only 69 million new ones emerge. — World Economic Forum
Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia possess 61% of the world's lithium resources, totaling 52 million tons, while Mexico, Brazil, and Peru have an additional 3.5 million tons, crucial for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Latin America faces the ongoing challenge of converting this natural resource wealth into sustained, widespread prosperity. — Bloomberg
This year, the housing market remains stagnant despite the usual springtime surge in buyer activity, mainly due to a shortage of sellers. While buyer interest is evident with a 10% increase in mortgage applications, the low number of homes for sale, coupled with high prices and mortgage rates, discourages potential sellers. — The New York Times
The Roundup
Corporate Relocation Council of Chicago (CRC) CRP Exam Review Class — On 9 May, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT in Chicago, learn from and study with mobility experts. Learn more and register.
Private jet charter companies focusing on pet-friendly services have emerged to cater to the rising demand from pet owners wanting to travel with their animals, as well as to alleviate the growing frustration associated with the complexities of flying with pets.
Pet owners attempting to transport their pets on commercial flights face a complicated set of airline-specific regulations. While service animals can travel in the cabin without confinement, other pets may be subject to size restrictions, necessitating travel as cargo or barring certain breeds altogether. Private jet companies offer a solution, providing in-cabin pet travel without the need for a lengthy crate or carrier confinement.
On private flights, dogs under 150 pounds can usually sit on aircraft seats, secured by a seatbelt or carrier during taxi, takeoff, and landing, say private jet operators. With some jets, once a seat is purchased, there are no extra costs or requirements for pet transportation. Many companies also help clients with country-specific pet restrictions and required documents for international travel, streamlining the process.
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