Microsoft and the immigration laws

[emily_the_spoiled]

There are a number of reasons for Microsoft doing this move. One of them being that this year all the H1B visas were distributed within the first day the season was open. The ICE doesn't start accepting applications until April for an October distribution, but it is next to impossible to get a H1B visa if you are a for-profit company.

Microsoft will likely hire a number of Canadians (they certainly have imported quite a few into the US facilities).

If nothing else it is alot of well paying jobs...

[Edwina's Secretary]

Bill Gates is not a man to do something very illogical. And it is illogical to import workers to Canada if there are skilled workers in Canada. There is an expense associated with importing people. I am also willing to bet the Canadian government...although more willing to allow immigration, still has a rule that you must pay them the same as nationals. To do otherwise is to discriminate based on national origin.

And...I suspect very few of those standing in the unemployment line are highly skilled technology employees.

If what Microsoft wants is a facility full of people from India...or China...it would be cheaper to build the facility there than in Canada.
Microsoft is very picky. They get 25,000 unsolicited resumes per year.

It is also a well-run business that simply by locating somewhere will add jobs to the economy. They will not import secretaries and other support staff... Groundskeepers, etc.

But when a huge foriegn company comes to town I think there is suspicion and concern about what they will do and how they will do it.

[lizbud]

The 1 article I could find on this said that the move hoped to locate more
skilled software design people to add to their staff. Less skilled workers
they could get most anywhere. They can do that faster in Canada where
the immigration laws are easier for them to deal with.

[Marigold2]

Very well said..................

Bill Gates is not a man to do something very illogical. And it is illogical to import workers to Canada if there are skilled workers in Canada. There is an expense associated with importing people. I am also willing to bet the Canadian government...although more willing to allow immigration, still has a rule that you must pay them the same as nationals. To do otherwise is to discriminate based on national origin.

And...I suspect very few of those standing in the unemployment line are highly skilled technology employees.

If what Microsoft wants is a facility full of people from India...or China...it would be cheaper to build the facility there than in Canada.
Microsoft is very picky. They get 25,000 unsolicited resumes per year.

It is also a well-run business that simply by locating somewhere will add jobs to the economy. They will not import secretaries and other support staff... Groundskeepers, etc.

But when a huge foriegn company comes to town I think there is suspicion and concern about what they will do and how they will do it.