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Microsoft, in a letter to Senator Charles Grassley, has said the H-1B work visa programme helped hire the best available talent of the world.
The present Microsoft line can be seen in the context of the policies of the Obama regime, which gives preference to companies hiring Americans in giving bail-out.
H1-B employees have always accounted for less than 15 per cent of Microsoft's US workforce, the level that is used in immigration law to determine whether a company is "H-1B dependent," the letter said.
Answering a specific question from the Senator on H-1B people losing their jobs, Microsoft said: "Workers on H-1B visas and other temporary work visas make up only a small percentage of our overall workforce, but they were also among the employees impacted by the reductions announced in January. Employees outside the United States were also impacted."
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dear guys don't get so upset or excited about pink slips being distributed in US. Consequence of all this exercise is that companies will start transferring jobs in the form of offshore business. People around the world including so called NRI(Non Reliable Indian)are welcome to come and work in India. You should be well prepared for competition because we believe in "Survival of the fittest". We are not Hippocrates.
Now time has come that India should understand the importance of its own brain power. It is right time to get our drained out talents back and facilitate their best deployment and let develop more silicon humps in the country. This is perhaps a boon in disguise to the nation
dear guys don't get so upset or excited about pink slips being distributed in US. Consequence of all this exercise is that companies will start transferring jobs in the form of offshore business. People around the world including so called NRI(Non Reliable Indian)are welcome to come and work in India. You should be well prepared for competition because we believe in "Survival of the fittest". We are not Hippocrates.
Should the H1B staff be worthwhile Microsoft would have relocated them in some other country. Thy would only shed underperformers - Lets face the facts
If they have a chance 99% of India will be abroad. USA is a century ahead of India, technology wise and infra structure wise. That is the reason most people try to go abroad.Stoppage of H1 visas will be good for India as the brain drain will stop and India can develop at a faster pace.
you mean - India was developing at a faster pace at one point before people started moving out and hence India's development slowed down. I say its exactly the other way round - people moved out BECAUSE they did not see any progress, no opportunities to grow.
Wakeup. It is not the brain but the opportunity brought these workers to USA. During the Y2K needs, H1B visa was created and human slaves were brought to USA. More than one billion population, where does India stand in winning olympics medals.
most people forget that the whole india shining is because of our NRI's. they are the ones that brought India's into the world view. Amar you probably work for one of the MNCs.india's reserves were in shit state. all the guys who moved out of the country sent money to their families here....big factor that your dumbass does not see. guys who left the comfort of their lives here in india to make something of themselves abroad are pioneers.MS has been around for a very long time and some of the indian companies are trying to be like them......and then you had satyam. guys like you know well how to biT ch.you want to drive a car and have a ac and live like the europians.....enjoy all their fruits.....and complain about them.......have the balls to make your own mark and be orignal. you probably begged for a job with an MNC. ball less freak.
Rohit you R sick.Your Language describes your sick personality.
Why are we sending these beggars in U.S..Why don't create oraganization like microsoft here in India so that people From america come here for begging jobs to us.We have to create such economic opportunities here so that our skill labors don't run to other countries for employment as they don't find jobs of there calibers here in India.
Come back to reality dude.. US is much ahead than us economically and idea wise.. we only have inteligent people but dont know how to use them.. if knew that, india would not have been a third world country.. our engineers would not be writing software for microsoft.. So dude.. dont just make stupid talk like politician come back to reality.. India is not shingin yet.. it was just a reflection of some of ther rich country.
Becoz people like you can only talk and do nothing more. Why dont you start a company like MS instead of cribbing like e baby. Grow up.
India has talent but its still stuck with old politicians. When the media talks about progress india is making...i don't really see where? If ethics and accountability is missing...no building of malls and huge buildings is going to help thrive the economy.It still remains a country where racism THRIVES. I once read thsi statement " People's thinking hasn't changed, but their surrounding has".
Why don't you choose some younger politicians? Elections are coming soon. Elect a new bunch and change India.
After firing H1 holder Indian professionals Microsoft started hiring Americans. On first day of job a redneck stayed longer than his regular time. His boss was impressed.When asked what made him to stay longer than regular time, proud American replied;" The Keyboard was not in alphabetical order, I fixed it!'
Yep we are really easy targets us Americans. We start companies, employ the best educated and most talented people and what happens? We revoke the ungreatful Indians H1-B status and send them back to the cess pool they came from. How many Americans have you hired in India?Welcome to America and don't let the door hit you in the ass as you leave.
Michael, I agree with you. These ungreatful are complaining about USA policies. If they did not like the change, they would have stayed home. Even living in USA these non-americans descriminate against american citizens and hire only their own. They earn the money here and send most of it back to their own country. These candidates do not stimulate to US economy or culture. Also, to bypass H1-B cost, requirements and limitations, thousands are brought here on L1 or B1 visas to replace qualified americans. Along with H1-B, these L1 and B1 should be revoked. It is surprising that in 21st century human slavery exists. I am interested to the number of americans hired by these companies within USA? Y2K is over, there is no need meet the deadlines. In US, qualified Americans (there are plenty) should be hired before and H1-B visa candidate. Thanks to Sen. Grassley and Sanders for taking action and adding a clause in the package.
I think the statement itself say that American experitse ends at starting the companies, thanks to the money. and after that the reality catches them that they dont have competency to run and grow the company and hence have to hire brainy people from outside. And ultimately the company becomes great on the basis/labour put by these people only.Any one is not fool to hire incompetent people at all. Hence such jobs/hiring are not an obligation, but a accpetance of the talent.And regarding giving jobs to Americans, surely the competent people always can get jobs anywhere...peovided they have the competance for delivering a job.A reality should also be accepted that these company have become great because of competent people hired from elsewhere...and once they are removed surely the company will suffer and go down, as it wont be having those , who were delivering. So beware for future dude.
Wakeup, face the reality. It is not the competancy, it is the cheap human slaves getting the jobs. USA is great and will always be. Too bad that white collar slavery has been brought back to this country. It is the greatness and non-racist policies of this country attracts everyone. If these candidates do not like USA, why are they here?
Yes, check the stats parthasarathi. When was the last time india came with a revolution in any damn technology .. I think palmastry was the last one if i remember correctly. We build rockets based on things that are already done !!! Face the fact we are ages behind america, and its not the talent its the cost coz of which people are hired from India. I can bet on this out of 10 people working in any damn IT company 3-4 will have fake experience and 'jugad' to get in the company and not everyone else will know what they are doing infront of the computer .. and of all account support and BPO jobs for India Shining ..
Because of the knowledge of English, Indians have been receiving H1B, L1, B1 visas. Wait a few more years, china will takeover. I hate to say that we should thank British to unite India and create some law and procedures. Can you imagine what India would have been? Like Afghanistan.
After firing H1 holder Indian professionals, Microsoft stated hiring Americans.On first day of job a a redneck stayed longer than his regular time.His boss was impressed. He called then young man
IN the previous election BJP said India is shining and they lost the power. Now Congress is going to say Jai Ho, Congress will also loose power this time.
As several people here comment I am not a guy without a job, live on parental money, tease girls or talking in hatred.. I am in a very good job..and have never given a thought about getting a Job abroad. And I dont think working abroad makes you superior to those who work here in anyway.. I know dumb thugs settled in US and very intelligent people working here. My point was about blind admiration and pride we have about people working and settled abroad. From the comments which read "frustrated not getting a Job abroad" we can understand the mindset of these people.. Think why should someone be frustrated about that.. I am more than happy working in my own country..no matter how bad the conditions might be..
Learn to live with the good and the bad.Is it your birth right stamped and signed to have jobs all your life in todays world that too in a foreign country where you are called aliens.So what if you are unemployed for a while.If you were eating three times a day eat, two times now!You and your problems are are a tiny speck in the larger picture of life.Imagine if you were hit by a car today and cannot even get up from your bed tomorrow.Grow up you bozoos and stop whining! Think of all your poor country men who cannot do anything to change their lives and must live bonded to poverty for generations.And you are worrying about your job lost in a foreign country..So why dont you all come home and do something for your country and countrymen. You were previleged so long.Be thankful for that and accept that what goes up must come down which will go up again .
Ban H1B visas for a 5 year period - Restore jobs in US
There is no quota for L1 and B1, these should also be banned. To skip H1B visa cost and requirements, companies are abusing the visa procedures. Instead of hiring an american, these companies keep on rotating candidates by sending on L1 or b1. Also, candidate on B1 is on Indian payroll and does not pay any US income tax. In USA, before hiring a non-american, every effort must be made to find qualified american. There are plenty american available to work and pay taxes to the IRS.
Okay-- ban h1b and allow tcs and wipro to bring human slaves on L1B(there is no quota by the way) and allow them to take the jobs all to india and make those IT companies( please note not employees) to grow richer.. Grow up kiddo.
The next 18 months are going to be tough and decisions like this should not surprise anyone considering obamas priority. There is also a possibility of alternate silicon valleys emerging in near future in brazil and already established places like China,India. It will be tough but going through such tough times will make people mentally better equiped to deal with such realities in life
It’s good time for Indian IT industry to invite and retain the talented Indian employees who were on H1B visa in US and are now given Pink slips by Foreign IT industry due to economic recession. It is even acknowledged by the company like Microsoft that this category of workers has a significant contribution to the company's success. The Government should create job opportunities within India to utilize this knowledge power of this Indian talent. India is going to be a super economy in future. India is a rich country in terms of talent and it should make use of such talent in building the foundation for IT, defense, infrastructure, aviation and other industries even in agriculture too. It is inevitable that technology driven countries are always well-placed compared to other countries. We have a great example of Japan which has achieved remarkable progress even after disastrous events like losses caused due to war and atom bombs. So we should now wake up. It is not late for us to retain Indian talent in-house only by giving them growth opportunities within India itself.
Tats too good,Proud Indian....vinod,think and act as a professional....
Since Microsoft is doing good and when it is not dependamt upon federal support then why MS is in hurry to give pink slips to own employees
Losing job by any indian anywhere in the world is a set back to Indian economy.Let us not rejoice at this situation, as it will cause a very great strain in the job market of india.Our population dividend is a very great resource to us, as it is for China NRIs are instumental for creating jobs for resident indians and this is a very great service to the nation especially by the alumni fo IIT,IIM, NIT and other leading insttitutions.All such invstments may suffer due to job loss taking place in USA. It is also to be noted with dimay that few thousands of public sector jobs in india also are likely to be cut, as a sequel to global slowdown. Please note that our growth rate is steadily decreses, which is not to good augory to a developing country like india. I believe that this is the time for deep thought and remedial strategies and finding fault with each other is not going to serve the purpose.Let us learn to honour work wherever it is done by our bretheren.
In the global economy when everyone is losing jobs, H1B's too lost theirs. What is the big deal? Microsoft said that H1B's contribute significantly, not the only ones who contribute significantly. Don't know what the fuss is about. TCS, Infosys too lay off people, do you make a similar fuss when they are laid off?
I think the title is misleading. The author must have deliberately chosen the title to invite people to click on it. Nothing could be farther from truth. In reality layoffs affect US-citizens, foreigners, H1-B's etc.,. It is not restricted to H1-B's alone as the title shows. Shame on the author. It is high time such articles and their titles are checked fore their veracity, as otherwise they are not worth the paper it is written on.
The H-1b visa progranm is taking jobs from americans and giving the jobs to asians and indians on american soil. how stupid is that ???? This is the major cause of the resesion.I am an engineer that has been laid off 6 times because my job was given to a H1-b visa holder. The politicians give out the visas t ohelp out their banker and software buddies. Now bill gates is whining that he has to hire Americans!!
I agree with you. I also lost my job to one H1-B slave. All H1-B visas should be revoked. There are plenty of qualified americans available to fill the gap.
Go Linux. I hope the crappy company fails miserably - with or without desis, Microsoft is the embodiment of what an evil company looks like. I hope in 10 years Linux takes over the world. We can all live like free people on the web again.
How stupid and ignorant. You are cursing the company providing food for thousands of Indians. You are the most selfish (namak haraam). People like you should never be allowed in this beautiful country.
Agree with Swati. With reservations and with or great leaders like Arjun Singh, it appears the country already decided who should work for the country. Talent, knowledge etc., are something, but secondary. Anyway, I don't want to deviate from the main topic. Vinod appears to be someone who did not get an opportunity to go to US or Eurpoe and work there. I clearly see this frustration in him that makes him laugh at someone's misery. I love my country (India) and I don't blame Microsoft too in their actions. When I have only one piece of bread to eat, I think I will have to give it to my child first, before thinking of giving it to any 'guest'. And Vinod, don't say ha ha haaa now. Because, all these things will have a secondary impact on other markets and you never know, your job could be at stake too (I hope not, but it could). So, please cool down, take a deep breath and think before you fire off messages like these. After all, we all have to work together. It is a Global family.
You are all matured and sensible, except for one "Vinod". We must learn to accept the concept of "employment at will" in most of the US states. It is the foundation of the country of free enterprise that makes it so rich and successful. Protection of jobs by the government makes us all weaker and become complacent. You can not expect an employer to pay when there is no money coming in for them to survive. The best you can do is save enough to ride it out and hope for the best, keep on working hard without getting upset. It will work out on the long run. "If you can not take the heat, you should not be in the kitchen."
we should not point vinod for laughing at his own condition becaz its just the time which will teach him...wait for that.Good luck dude!
You mean only elite should be allowed to work and not under privileged whose right Arjun Singh tries to protect.
Microsoft earns revenue from India even though it employs H1Bs. Indian govt must make Microsoft pay up for the lost H1B jobs through the revenue streams earned by Microsoft in India.
It is about time that american companies are thinking about their own first. If the situation was reversed in india, people would have burnt the buses. A lot of qualified americans are discriminated in their own country. In US it is a curse to be an american. US was the best country in the world and H1-B visa holder have brought back the slavery.
DON'T EVEN START THIS. INDIAN COMPANIES, HERE IN US AND THROUGH ESPORTS PLUE MILLIONS INDIANS HERE IN US PUMP BILLIONS OD DOLLARS TO INDIA, WHICH IS 1000 TIMES WHAT US GETS FROM INDIA.
The Government of India is already collecting income tax from the employees of Microsoft India. The tax revenue from these individuals must be substantial. Besides, these individuals stimulate the Indian economy by purchasing goods and services in India. If GOI decides to tax the revenue streams derived by Microsoft through the usage of Indian nationals in India, it is like killing a goose laying golden eggs. Microsoft may decide to move out of India and set up shop in Philippines or for that matter in the US itself where the wages are falling precipitously. We have to be careful with our actions.
Ha ha ha.. Great.. Now we cant say.. 37.34% of employees in Microsoft are INDIANS and bask on that glory when real Indians working in India for India are struggling to lead a decent life.. I hope atleast now people realise that glory of India is not ablout NRIs in MS, Intel and NASA.. europe and USA.. but people who live and work in our country.
And India will ignore the wishes of the people. Be it Reservation, be it tamil eelam issue, only thing India knows is to appease minorities and how to get votes rather than ruling for the benefit of the very people who voted them to power!.
A Real slumdog - who drinks hard liquor, teases girls whenever possible, spends parental money till 30, first time earns as the dowry and then has jealous on others' success. At least here Indians not entered through short gate of 'Reservations' and 'Nepotism'
33% could still be true; if you include Green Card holders and Indian Americans (Citizens).
Vinod, I support you 100%. The visa system was being abused by using the fake documents and discriminating americans within their own country. There are plenty of qualified americans available in the country but american companies have been importing slaves from India and China. It is about time we have Obama to wake up the country. America should be for american first.
Hi Vinod, seem more like you were not good enough to work for a good company. instead of laughing starting worrying that if these people come back, where will people like you will find jobs. Indian economy is surviving on the NRIs you are laughing at otherwise it would still have been another third world country going towards the fourth world.
Vinod, If you hate American (or any foreign country)so much, you should not work for any multinational company or buy products made by foreign companies operating in India - like the PC use used to write this message or your cell phone. BTW, the H1B workers that is being talked about are usually contractors that are brought in from India via a body shopper. They are not educated in the US or have advanced degrees from any US University(the original intent of H1B). Indians are famous for taking advantage of loop holes.
Hate ? what is that ? i dont sense hate in vinod's message. He was just laughing out. The fact was that, we were so proud to point out as to how many indians are employed in MS, etc. He is just making a point that we lived through a hollow pride. And again, targeting H1B alone is not a good think, How about i recommend my friend not to go for a whirlpool product or for that matter any other american products. Well, some elements have already started that slogan. Go and figure out. I think obama is just trying to divert attention from the financial meltdown. He should better take that up first, instead of stocking some negative sentiments, which would put off hiring plans of some companies in india. I could not believe what such immatured leaders that country continue to produce.
Vinod, if you are here in US you will see that out of all Indians only 10% are H1 visa holders. I am here and I do not have a H1 visa. There are other ways to work here. Those who come here on H1 also, even the ones who are in Microsoft etc get GC or citizenship after a few years. As far as working for the country in the country, only SC, ST, OBC etc get a chance today to work for the country. Rest all work for some company based in US or Europe. This will impact those who were in the beginning of their H1 processes and not others.
So all the so called elite- not OBC, SC, ST who work for the US now may I ask what is your contribution to the country other than untouchability, rigid caste system, keeping low castes out of reach? Why do you always complain about researvations which have been affecting you since the last couple of decades when OBS,SC,STs have been discriminated against for so many centuries. Hypocrites!!! Now I guess you'll bar SC, ST and OBCs from entering US. Good luck!!
hehe, do not worry, obama will have reservation for u for job in USA too. only problem is he does not know how to accomodate dumb people like you, who want all the goodies without even trying on the name of the caste.
I like to bring to your attention the abuses by most of the IT Outsourcing companies in USA.. IT outsourcing companies intentially discriminate against US citizens or permanent residents and hire only candidates from India. Before applying for H1 visa for a candidate in India, these companies do not search for any available qualified US resident.. Fake documents are prepared and used for the H1-B, L1 or B1 Visa applications.. If it takes longer or H1-B Visa is rejected, candidates from India are brought on inter-company transfer visa (L1) or business visa (B1), thus avoid providing job for a qualified US resident candidate. . Business visa applicants (B1) are paid in India and no taxes are paid to US Govt. During their stay in US, these candidates are paid per Diem and sometimes it includes accommodation. These candidates save as much as they can and send the money to India. These candidates do not contribution to the US economy.. Un-qualified candidates from India are brought on Inter-company visa (B1) for one year or less to replace employed US citizens. Since these candidates cannot stay in US for more than one year, their intention is not to spend and save as much as they can. There expenses are bare minimum, thus no contribution to US economy.. Gradually Non-Indian employees are forced out by replacing them by an Indian on a temporary visa. After the expiration of temporary visa, another Indian is brought to US as replacement. This ongoing cycle continues and there is no effort to find any qualified US citizen or permanent resident.I am an IT professional with 20 years of solid experience. Because of the liberal policies of US Govt. and abuse by these companies, I have been unemployed for almost two years. So far, I have submitted my applications to 1000 companies. All my efforts have been fruitless and I do not even receive any call for interview. For an IT professional in USA, it a curse to be US citizen.I enjoy working and like to contribute to the US economy. Instead of getting unemployment benefits to survive, I prefer to be employed and pay taxes to the US Government.Suggestion: Before hiring a non-American, every outsourcing company MUST prove that no qualified American candidate was available. This will reduce the unemployment and create revenue for the treasury.
This comment sounds to be coming more out of hate and not making it to the Silicon valley.
what kind of "perverted sickness" is this vinod? u r actually laughing at somebody's misery!
I AM CERTAIN THAT POOR VINOD DID NOT GET THE VISA OR AN IT JOB IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. NATURALLY THE GRAPES ARE SOUR!
I am an IT guy, working in this industry for more than 20 years, I can see that IT businesses are fundamentally missing innovation. All the time, they have been body shopping, not even created a single well known software under Indian name. Indian IT professional are excellent guys and they are working for all big software vendors in the world, but they haven't produced a single well known software under their name. If IT businesses were produced some good softwares, we don't need to depend upon America, in fact they will depend upon India. What a shame? We are always working for others, not for us!..
Friends, I partially agree with Vinod. Do you know how these H1B and GC holders behave? They are head weight people. The way they see the L1 Visa holders is unbearable. They have a thought that they would be staying in US forever and ever. God is there. They have to realize that nothing is permanent. Hope they understand and learn a good lesson.
why all these fuss about obama and his policies?they have every right to decide who shd work for them and on what conditions.you work for them on accepting their conditions and have no right to crib if they change thier policies.if we indians are really concerned on the career prospects of our young men and women create such conditions here which will make them stay back and not look at green pastures abroad.first and foremost recognise merit and encourage it and DO NOT resort to quota systems for petty political considerations which is taking the backwards