Image Source : The Financial Express
Microsoft is under fire after reports revealed the tech giant filed over 6,300 H1B visa requests for software engineering roles in Washington—coinciding with mass layoffs that affected thousands of employees, including 817 software engineers in the same region. Critics are questioning whether the move reflects a genuine skills gap or a strategic workforce overhaul aimed at cost optimization.
Key Highlights of the Visa Filing Controversy
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Microsoft filed 14,181 foreign labor requests this year, with 6,300 specifically for software engineers in Washington
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82 percent of these roles reportedly offer pay below the local market rate, raising concerns about wage suppression
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The filings came in the same month Microsoft laid off 2,300 employees in Washington and 9,000 globally
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Social media users and labor advocates accuse the company of “rebooting the workforce with a global upgrade”
Layoffs and Workforce Restructuring
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The layoffs impacted multiple departments, including the gaming division, where projects were trimmed or ended
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Microsoft cited streamlining operations and focusing on future growth areas as reasons for the cuts
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CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, confirmed that layers of management were reduced to improve efficiency
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Critics argue that AI automation may be driving the shift, replacing human roles with techdriven solutions
H1B Program and Allegations of Abuse
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The H1B visa program is intended to fill roles where domestic talent is unavailable, but critics say enforcement is lax
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Many claim the system is being exploited to replace American workers with lowerpaid foreign labor
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A large number of Microsoft’s applications were reportedly routed through Indian firm Integreon (India) Pvt Ltd
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The contrast between layoffs and visa filings has sparked debate over ethical hiring practices and corporate accountability
Microsoft’s India Strategy and Global Talent Push
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Microsoft has pledged $3 billion toward expanding its India operations and plans to train 10 million people in AI skills
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The company continues to invest in global talent pipelines, raising questions about its longterm workforce strategy
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Some observers suggest the firm is shifting toward a more distributed, costefficient labor model
As Microsoft navigates criticism over its H1B filings, the episode highlights growing tensions between globalization, automation, and domestic employment—where the line between innovation and exploitation is increasingly blurred.
Sources: Financial Express, Hindustan Times, VisaVerge, Times of India, TechGig News
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