Microsoft: Layoffs for Some, Visas for Others

[Azlady]

The software giant that has pushed for more H-1B visas faces tough
questions as it lays off 5,000

Even as the economy hemorrhages jobs, many employers continue to
advocate for fewer restrictions on importing foreign workers to fill
specialized jobs. They say that while there's growing slack in the job
market, there are still shortages of people to act as farm hands,
nurses, and software engineers.

Not surprisingly, foreign-worker programs are coming under fire in the
face of the highest U.S. unemployment rate in 16 years—7.2% in
December. One of the critics' biggest targets is the software giant
Microsoft (MSFT).

A longtime advocate for more skilled immigration, Microsoft
continues to ask Congress to lift caps on the H-1B visa program for
highly skilled workers and offer more green cards to foreign-born
talent. As recently as Jan. 5, the company posted a policy proposal on
President Obama's transition Web site requesting that the government
"remove caps that bar entry into the U.S. by high-skilled immigrants."
Several weeks later, on a Jan. 22 earnings conference call, the
company announced plans to eliminate 5,000 jobs in research and
development, information technology, marketing, sales, finance, legal,
and human resources over the next 18 months, as well as thousands of
contract jobs.

Tech Layoffs Up 74% in 2008

More: http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/feb2009/db2009021_893728.htm

Wow....Look what shows up online following Microsoft's job
cuts......ads for H-1B visa holders ONLY.

http://www.myvisajobs.com/Visa-Job-Keywords/microsoft.htm

[OhioChick]

1. Greedy ass fucks.

A big K&R

[ihavenobias]

2. Also known as GAF's.

;)

[roguevalley]

4. it never ends does it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Why the fuck don't these fuckers invest in our schools.

[tridim]

6. Because they already do?

Microsoft pours $235.5m into school tech
http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39169785,00.htm

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Why the fuck don't these fuckers recruit from the schools they invest in.

[ChromeFoundry]

9. Any investment they make "here" is a tax write off...

any recruitment they can make outside of "here" is a tax savings.

having a presence in Ireland is for a tax shelter.

the answer to the "WHY" = PROFITS! = GREED.

[ChromeFoundry]

8. The question was asked about "our" schools...

the article you posted was for $235.5 million to UK schools, not schools in the US.

[tridim]

10. That's just one example, they've invested in schools here too.

Probably more so than any other American company.

[ChromeFoundry]

11. I'd like to believe that...

but, don't tell me... show me.

[OhioChick]

12. That link is for schools in the UK...

How about providing some links for U.S. schools?

[ChromeFoundry]

13. I've been looking...

I believe I have found every other country but the US.

India, China, Brazil, Nigeria, Korea, etc... still no U.S. investment. Interesting. With Microsoft being the marketing engine that it is, and tooter of its own horn... I wouldn't have guessed this to a very difficult search.

[OhioChick]

14. Well, Color Me Surprised.....Not. n/t

[OregonBlue]

5. Hi-tech jobs being offered to H1B visa holders at this site 601.

[Omnibus]

15. I first read the headline as "...Vistas for others"...

and was going to reply, "I'd rather have the layoff."