'Microsoft should fire foreign workers first'

Washington, Jan 25: Reports suggest that an influential Republican Senator has asked internet giant Microsoft to fire the foreign workers including Indians first and 'protect' jobs of the Americans amid the global economic crisis. His order came after Microsoft decided to layoff 5,000 employees in next 18 months to withstand recession.

Chuck Grassley, the Iowa Senator, in a letter to the company raised concern over the issue and said that this would result in American workers losing jobs and not the foreigners hired on H-1B or L visas. In the letter addressed to Steve Ballmer, the Microsoft Chief Executive, Grassley said, "During a layoff, companies should not be retaining H-1B or other work visa programme employees over qualified American workers."

He added that Microsoft has a moral obligation to protect the Americans by putting them first during the difficult economic times. The internet giant is one of the major beneficiaries of H-1B work visa programme, which is maily for overseas professionals. Of the 60,000 professionals who are given H-1B visa majority are from India.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)