The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) is receiving up to 20 emails a day from contractors complaining about abuses of the points-based immigration system.

The PCG says IT contractors are having their contracts terminated, with whole departments or projects being offshored on cost grounds. 

The PCG is calling for reform of the immigration system, which allows companies to bring in hundreds of non-EEA (European Economic Area) workers on intra-company transfer work permits, often in preparation for offshoring.

Unlike ordinary work permits, intra-company work permits do not require the sponsoring company to advertise the vacancy in the UK first.

The PCG has launched a website www.ictabuse.org.uk which highlights the issues.