Senator Grassley asks Microsoft to axe foreign workers first

US senator asks Microsoft to axe foreign workers first
Posted: 24 January 2009 0622 hrs

WASHINGTON - A US senator has asked Microsoft to axe temporary foreign workers first under the US software giant's plan to slash up to 5,000 jobs amid a global economic slowdown.

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Republican Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter Friday to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

"As you know, I want to make sure employers recruit qualified American workers first before hiring foreign guest workers," he said.

Microsoft employs thousands of foreigners through an H-1B visa programme that allows American companies and universities to employ them temporarily.

"The purpose of the H-1B programme is to help companies hire foreign guest workers on a temporary basis when there is not a sufficient qualified American workforce to meet those needs," Grassley said.

"However, the programme is not intended to replace qualified American workers," he said.

At present, the United States imposes a general quota of 65,000 H-1B visas annually, many of them issued to those from India, China and the Philippines.

"My point is that during a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work visa programme employees over qualified American workers," Grassley said. "Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American workforce."

He asked Ballmer to provide details of the jobs that were being eliminated.

Microsoft on Thursday reported that its net profit fell by 11 percent in the quarter from a year ago and said it was eliminating up to 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months.

The job cuts will be in research and development, marketing, sales, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology, the Redmond, Washington-based company said.

Microsoft employs some 91,000 people and rumors of job cuts at the world's biggest software firm had been circulating for weeks.

- AFP /ls

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 87/1/.html

Note the lack of concern about American workers from cheap-labor enthusiasts Microsoft and the attorney.
-----

Saturday, January 24, 2009 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
Lawmaker asks Microsoft about keeping American workers
By Benjamin J. Romano

Seattle Times technology reporter

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has sent a letter to Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer expressing concern over how the company may go about its layoffs.

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Grassley said in the letter, posted to his Web site on Friday.

The company announced plans Thursday to cut a net 2,000 to 3,000 jobs over the next 18 months, its first companywide layoff. An initial wave of 1,400 job cuts were effective Friday.

The senator asked Ballmer for details on the jobs to be eliminated; how many are held by H-1B or other work-visa-program employees; how many are held by Americans and, of those positions, how many similar positions held by foreign guest workers are being retained; and how many H-1B or other work-visa-program workers Microsoft will retain when the layoff is complete.

"My point is that during a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work-visa-program employees over qualified American workers," Grassley wrote.

"Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American work force. ... Microsoft has a moral obligation to protect these American workers by putting them first during these difficult economic times."

In response to a query about Grassley's letter, Microsoft said the initial layoffs include foreigners working here on visas.

"The initial reductions we announced affect employees in a number of business units, and a significant number of the affected employees are foreign citizens working in this country on a visa," said company spokesman Lou Gellos. " ... For many of the employees here on a visa, being laid off means that they have to leave the country on very short notice, in many cases uprooting families and children."

Cletus Weber, co-founder and partner with Mercer Island-based immigration law firm Peng & Weber, said determining layoffs by nationality or immigration status could violate anti-discrimination laws.

"I know of no immigration law that would require Microsoft or any other U.S. company to lay off its lawfully employed foreign workers first," Weber wrote in an e-mail.

"To the contrary, I believe arbitrarily laying off lawfully employed foreign workers first would subject these companies to potential legal liability under federal anti-discrimination laws."

Grassley pointed out that Microsoft has lobbied Congress for an expansion of the H-1B program.

The program allows American employers and institutions to temporarily hire foreign guest workers with at least the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in a job category considered a "specialty occupation."

In 2007, Microsoft said that about one-third of its 46,000 U.S.-based employees at the time had work visas or were legal permanent residents with green cards.

Benjamin J. Romano: 206-464- 2149 or bromano@ seattletimes.com

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bi ... e=20090124

This represents so much progress for the American worker activists. Back in '00 when the first big wave of H-1Bs started coming in, right on the heels of the dot-com bust, it was surreal. Hundreds of thousands of Americans laid off, scrambling for work, any work. They raised the H-1B yearly cap to nearly 200K and left it there for three years. Nobody outside the affected workers seemed to be aware that anything odd was happening. Our screams went unheard for years. But some kept fighting, kept talking, and wouldn't give up. Slowly, representatives, the press, and society started becoming aware of the problem. Now awareness and outrage are widespread. I'm grateful for the leaders who didn't give up - a lesson for leaders of other causes.

Dollars to donuts that Grassley will never receive an answer from Gates or Ballmer. The Senate will just award them with even more H1B visas since they and thst useless bought and paid for congress slobbered all over Gates when he begged for additional visas.

And didn't Bushy recently sign an executive order not requiring employers to advertise for qualified American workers? My happiest moment watching the inauguration coverage was to see Bushy climb into the helicopter and get out of DC! :D :D :D

Why is the government "requesting" that this company lay off foreign workers? Why dont they just cancel all the work visas? We dont need foreign workers right now. We probably never did need them. Cancel the visas.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redpony353

Why is the government "requesting" that this company lay off foreign workers? Why dont they just cancel all the work visas? We dont need foreign workers right now. We probably never did need them. Cancel the visas.

---

Didn't he just get 1600 H1b visa people approved to come every month?
And this was just a month or two ago when our financial situation was not good then either.
Congress was mesmerized and drooling like an Obama cult member. SICKENING to watch.

Quote:

---

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Republican Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter Friday to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

---

Is this man stupid?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

Quote:

---

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Republican Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter Friday to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

---

Is this man stupid?

---

Billy already said he was! His excuse is that it's a different part of the country than them that's getting laid off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WorriedAmerican

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vmonkey56

Quote:

---

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Republican Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter Friday to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

---

Is this man stupid?

---

Billy already said he was! His excuse is that it's a different part of the country than them that's getting laid off.

---

I am sure there are plenty of American workers in that area to fill the positions. If they just cancel the visas, then bill will have to hire Americans or train Americans. I am sure there are some American workers that would be willing to transfer from other areas of the country. We have tons of IT trained workers who were dumped in favor of foreign workers.

Quote:

---

Grassley said. "Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American workforce."

---

HELLO!! YOU IGNORAMUS!! IT ALREADY HAS. WHERE THE HELL YOU BEEN?

It should never be an option to keep foreign workers while laying off Americans. It should be a given that foreign workers are out first!

cvangel: YES

Quote:

---

US senator asks Microsoft to axe foreign workers first

---

Asks????

Why isn't Grassley writing legislation DEMANDING that corporations axe foreign workers first?

Quote:

---

US senator asks Microsoft to axe foreign workers first
Posted: 24 January 2009 0622 hrs

WASHINGTON - A US senator has asked Microsoft to axe temporary foreign workers first under the US software giant's plan to slash up to 5,000 jobs amid a global economic slowdown.

"I am concerned that Microsoft will be retaining foreign guest workers rather than similarly qualified American employees when it implements its layoff plan," Republican Senator Charles Grassley said in a letter Friday to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer.

---

I have no doubt that Gates intends to fire American workers first. He will keep the cheap labor he fought so hard to get here.

Quote:

---

... For many of the employees here on a visa, being laid off means that they have to leave the country on very short notice, in many cases uprooting families and children."

---

These employees were hired on temporary work visas. If they are ill-prepared to leave the country on a short notice, thats their fault. They should have known that this wasnt a permanent situation.

Quote:

---

Cletus Weber, co-founder and partner with Mercer Island-based immigration law firm Peng & Weber, said determining layoffs by nationality or immigration status could violate anti-discrimination laws.

---

How in the hell would this violate "anti-discrimination laws"?! its not discriminating to dismiss anyone with a temporary visa while keeping American citizens in the workplace. :x :roll:

Let's the Congress cut their salaries 75% to pay for the airfare of the immigrants.

Cut Pensions!
Related article and poll:) http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-126464.html

Some of the foreign workers' friends are claiming that this would disciminate on the basis of ethnicity and immigration status. But the H-1B visa is NOT an immigration visa, but a temporary work permit, so no discrimation would happen. They are only supposed to be brought in as needed, and then let go when no longer needed.

Let's please remember that Sen. Grassley is one of the good guys. Sure I wish more was being done, but I credit him with taking this public stand. Note his outstanding grades from Numbers, including the grade for 'Foreign Workers':

http://grades.betterimmigration.com/tes ... &VIPID=235

Populist: His recent grade is not that wonderful.

http://grades.betterimmigration.com/tes ... &VIPID=235

I am puzzled- here we have a Senator trying to do the right thing for American workers and here --on THIS site--he is being called stupid and attacked.???? I think I logged in to he wrong site. I will logout and back in and hope I get to a site where any and all effoirts to protect American workers are appreciated,.

I adore the Sentator for sticking his neck out for American workers like he has.

I agree with misterbill and BetsyRoss. Sen. Grassley should be thanked for what he has done and is trying to do to protect American workers, unlike many other senators.

BetsyRoss wrote

Quote:

---

This represents so much progress for the American worker activists. Back in '00 when the first big wave of H-1Bs started coming in, right on the heels of the dot-com bust, it was surreal. Hundreds of thousands of Americans laid off, scrambling for work, any work. They raised the H-1B yearly cap to nearly 200K and left it there for three years. Nobody outside the affected workers seemed to be aware that anything odd was happening. Our screams went unheard for years. But some kept fighting, kept talking, and wouldn't give up. Slowly, representatives, the press, and society started becoming aware of the problem. Now awareness and outrage are widespread. I'm grateful for the leaders who didn't give up - a lesson for leaders of other causes.

---

We too must never give up as you write BetsyRoss. Our voices need to be growing, louder, and persistent. Someone told me today that something we were discussing would never happen. I said, "Never, say never, and keep opening up the doors." We must have faith in our efforts.

I too appreciate the efforts of Senator Grassley and others who are awake or who may be finally awakening to the problems with all of the visa/guestworker programs and illegal immigration. Hopefully, the numbers will grow and there will be consistency in their speech, as well as a mindset that favors the American worker and the American people in general.

Psalm 91

Lest we forget the American people are constantly told that Bill Gates is a super business genius. But a closer look shows that he made most of his money by manipulation. He took advantage of the system that was set up to favor billionaires like him at the expense of the common people. H1B's are just the tip of the iceberg.

This guy is absolutely Manipulator Extrodinaire! He blatantly blackmailed Congress, gently telling them if he didn't get the visas he wanted, he would move the company to Canada.
When I purchased Word 2007, I had all kinds of weird things happening, and since I had my five free calls to the help line, they had no idea what I was talking about and I had no idea what they were talking about since all those call centers were in India.
Greed is what drives Gates and I am sure he has some algorithm that will help him and Microsoft take over the entire world. Personally, I don't like to be held hostage, but cannot afford to go buy Apple products.

I don't mean to argue with anyone, but Senator Grassley has a lot of good and some bad points.

Last year I was within five feet of Senator Grassley in Avoca, Iowa at a town hall meeting and asked him about prosecuting CEOs who hire illegal aliens. Grassley said it is "Too hard" to prosecute CEOs. I reminded him that a meth lab was found during the Postville, Iowa raid....Grassley changed the subject. I brought it up again and he got mad at me.

Grassley also voted for the bail out, so the point is that I think there could be some big business influence in his decision making.

It is easy to ask Microsoft to axe foreign workers first, but they will do as they darn well please unless there are laws put into place. Is Grassley ready to sponsor such legislation?

Quote:

---

I don't like to be held hostage, but cannot afford to go buy Apple products.

---

My next computer WILL be an Apple. Windows Vista is a piece of crap....It is full of Bill Gates self-serving software that is sanctioned by our bribed politicians.

I too can't stand Windows.
-----

Re: Sen. Grassley, here's his actions and votes regarding interior enforcement for which he receives the grade of A+ from Numbers (I've edited this for brevity):


2008: Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Vitter Amendment to S. Con. Res. 70, a concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009.

2007: Voted to increase interior enforcement by funding state and local law enforcement assistance in enforcing Federal immigration laws Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Dole Amendment to H.R. 3093 (whose main sponsor was Rep. Alan Mollohan (WV)), the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008.

2007: Voted against sanctuary policies for illegal aliens Sen. Grassley voted against tabling the Vitter Amendment to H.R. 3093, the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) spending bill (whose main sponsor was Rep. Alan Mollohan (WV)).

2007: Voted on Senate floor in favor of amendment to increase interior enforcement

2007: Voted on Senate floor to deter employers from hiring illegal aliens Sen. Grassley voted in favor of the Sessions Amendment to H.R. 2, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007

2005: Voted in favor of amendment to add detention beds to increase interior enforcement

2006: Voted in favor of amendment to fund immigration investigators

2006: Voted in favor of amendment to increase interior enforcement

2005: Voted in favor of Byrd Amendment to increase interior enforcement

1995-1996: Voted in committee to increase interior enforcement

2003: Cosponsored S. 1685 to increase interior enforcement through workplace verification

2002: Voted in favor of H.R. 3525, a comprehensive alien tracking and identification system

2001: Cosponsored S. 1749 to increase illegal immigration with an alien tracking and identification system

1996: Voted in committee against Hatch Amendment to S. 1664 to reduce fines against employers who hire illegal aliens

1996: Voted against the Abraham Amendment to S. 1644, a vote in favor of increased interior enforcement

1996: Voted in favor of S. 1644 to reduce illegal immigration with interior enforcement

Too bad everyone wouldn't Boycott Microsoft due to his H1b Visa special interests.

Quote:

---

These employees were hired on temporary work visas. If they are ill-prepared to leave the country on a short notice, thats their fault. They should have known that this wasnt a permanent situation.

---

Oh and letting an American go wouldn't do that you Billie Commie Gates!

Your run is over!

Quote:

---

"My point is that during a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work visa programme employees over qualified American workers," Grassley said.

---

This is absolutely true, but it's disgusting to think how often it happens. It's probably not very simple to verify as these H-1B's often work through consulting companies. I really don't think Microsoft will permit it either.

Quote:

---

"Our immigration policy is not intended to harm the American workforce."

---

Sadly, it has harmed the American workforce. In software engineering, it has harmed it bigtime!

I have been looking for a job for a while and am directly competing against people on H1-B visas. These people can work for hardly nothing compared to those of us with mortages/college debt/families/whatever.

The H-1B program should be suspended until unemployment in our fields gets closer to 0%. Certainly any layoffs that occur, should target H-1B's first. Sadly, I doubt it will happen.

Here's the problem:

"I know of no immigration law that would require Microsoft or any other U.S. company to lay off its lawfully employed foreign workers first," Weber wrote in an e-mail."

its time to make an update to the law. This kind of law DOES exist in Mexico in its immigration and labor laws. Seriously, the USA should take a real good look at Mexico's immigration law and enact the parts which would make immigration actually strengthen the country and not weaken it.


On APPLE products: I made the PC to MAC switch a year and a half ago even before using Vista. XP was bad enough and I can't tell you how many hours and how stressful it was just keeping my damned computer stable! Well that has NEVER been an issue with Apple. I bought iMacs...wonderful. In Mexico they are so much more expensive so up in USA the price is very good considering that you will never have to install the OS ever again and you will save so much valuable time and will be able to focus on your work instead of becoming a microsoft technician. After being used to the OSX working on a PC is like getting out of a ferarri and getting into a yugo.

"I know of no immigration law that would require Microsoft or any other U.S. company to lay off its lawfully employed foreign workers first," Weber wrote in an e-mail."


These people are not immigrants!
The law should say that H1b Visa people are laid off before Americans!