Top Silicon Valley companies, including Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, Microsoft, Zoom, Salesforce, and Palantir, are reportedly seeking to hire cheaper tech workers from abroad despite recent mass layoffs. Data released by the US Department of Labor reveals that these companies have applied for thousands of H1B worker visas this year. The irony lies in the fact that many H1B visa holders, including those from India, have been affected by the layoffs in the US, leading to social media discussions and job search efforts.
One report highlights that Google, just a month after announcing its plan to cut 12,000 jobs globally in January, filed applications for H1B visas to hire lower-paid tech workers from foreign countries. The visa applications were for positions such as software engineers, analytical consultants, and user experience researchers, with some intended for new hires scheduled to join in August. Alphabet-owned Waymo, a subsidiary of Google, has also reportedly filed similar H1B applications to hire engineers.
Meta (formerly Facebook) has reduced its estimated workforce by nearly 25% within a few months, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg termed it the “year of efficiency” in response to downsizing in the US tech sector. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced in March a plan to cut an additional 9,000 jobs from the company’s workforce, following the 18,000 job cuts in January. However, Amazon’s layoffs account for a smaller percentage of its total workforce, which stood at 1.5 million in December 2022, compared to other tech giants. Jassy explained that these additional layoffs were necessary as the company aims to downsize after years of significant hiring, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when online shopping surged.
In January, Microsoft revealed plans to reduce its global workforce by almost 5%, equivalent to 10,000 jobs, in preparation for a potential economic downturn. CEO Satya Nadella assured employees in an email that despite the job cuts, the company would continue hiring in important strategic areas. Nadella stated, “While we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key strategic areas.”
