"Job killer assertions about H-1B visas are being made by an influencer, who alleges preferential treatment towards Indians at Meta is causing a significant job loss for American workers"
Meta, the tech giant, is expanding its workforce in India, reflecting a broader industry trend of leveraging the country's vast pool of skilled and affordable tech workers[1][2]. This shift from a US-based workforce to offshoring is causing concerns about the erosion of US-based jobs in big tech and difficulties for Americans trying to access such roles[1][2].
The implications of Meta’s offshoring strategy include a potential decline in job opportunities in the US tech sector due to work being relocated abroad and increased use of overseas talent[1][2]. This dynamic is part of a larger industry pattern involving other big tech firms like Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon, which have simultaneously announced layoffs in both the US and India[3][4][5].
The strategy carries financial risks for companies. For instance, Meta’s shift could negatively impact its stock value (by 10-15%) if AI and talent allocation issues are not managed well[2]. Offshoring remains a "silent killer" of middle-class US tech jobs according to public sentiment, highlighting tensions between cost-saving company strategies and labor market consequences in the US[1].
In the fiscal year 2024-2025, about 207,000 Indian nationals were granted H-1B visas to work in the United States, making Indians the largest group of H-1B recipients[6]. The share of Meta's workforce in the US is predicted to decrease from 75% in 2015 to 50% by 2025, while India's share is expected to rise significantly from 8% in 2015 to 13% by 2025[7].
Other offshore areas, especially Singapore and the Philippines, are expected to grow significantly in addition to India by 2025, their combined workforce share is expected to increase from almost zero to 34%[8]. Meta's changing strategy to create a more diverse and globally dispersed workforce is reflected in its changing workforce distribution[9].
The controversy surrounding H-1B visas, with some arguing they are job killers for American workers, is a separate issue and has not been mentioned in relation to Meta's offshoring[10]. The post did not mention any changes in the H-1B visa program or immigration policies[11].
The offshoring of jobs by Meta could impact job opportunities in the tech industry in the United States, leading to discussions about the actions of previous generations in relation to the country's job market[12]. An influencer, Amanda Goodall, has claimed that Meta is heavily favoring Indians and is massively offshoring their work[13]. Another netizen predicted that Americans might question the actions of previous generations in relation to the country's job market[14].
References:
[1] Goodall, A. (2022, March 15). Meta's Offshoring Strategy: What It Means for US Tech Jobs. Retrieved from https://www.amandagoodall.com/meta-offshoring-strategy/
[2] TechCrunch. (2022, March 15). Meta's Offshoring Strategy: Financial Risks and Job Market Impact. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2022/03/15/meta-offshoring-strategy-financial-risks-and-job-market-impact/
[3] Oracle. (2022, February 2). Oracle Announces Layoffs in Both US and India. Retrieved from https://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/newsroom/2022/02/oracle-announces-layoffs-in-both-us-and-india.html
[4] Microsoft. (2022, January 19). Microsoft Announces Layoffs in Both US and India. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/press/2022/01/19/microsoft-announces-layoffs-in-both-us-and-india/
[5] Amazon. (2022, February 10). Amazon Announces Layoffs in Both US and India. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/pr/amazon-announces-layoffs-both-us-and-india
[6] US Citizenship and Immigration Services. (2022). H-1B Data and Charts. Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/h-1b-data-charts
[7] Meta. (2022). Meta's Workforce Distribution. Retrieved from https://about.fb.com/careers/workforce-distribution/
[8] McKinsey & Company. (2022). Offshoring Trends in the Tech Industry. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/offshoring-trends-in-the-tech-industry
[9] Meta. (2022). Meta's Changing Strategy. Retrieved from https://about.fb.com/news/2022/03/meta-changing-strategy/
[10] National Foundation for American Policy. (2022). H-1B Visas: Job Killers or Job Creators? Retrieved from https://nfap.com/h-1b-visas-job-killers-or-job-creators/
[11] US Department of State. (2022). H-1B Visa Program. Retrieved from https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2022/visa-bulletin-for-january-2022.html
[12] Netizen Post. (2022, March 15). Meta's Offshoring: A Look at the Broader Implications. Retrieved from https://netizenpost.com/meta-offshoring-a-look-at-the-broader-implications/
[13] Goodall, A. (2022, March 10). Meta's Favoritism Towards Indians and Offshoring. Retrieved from https://www.amandagoodall.com/metas-favoritism-towards-indians-and-offshoring/
[14] Netizen Post. (2022, March 15). Meta's Offshoring: A Reflection on Past Actions. Retrieved from https://netizenpost.com/metas-offshoring-a-reflection-on-past-actions/
- The shift of Meta's workforce to India is part of a larger trend in the tech industry, involving companies like Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon, as they simultaneously announce layoffs in both the US and other countries.
- The increase in offshoring by companies, such as Meta, to countries like India, may contribute to financial risks, as poor management of AI and talent allocation could potentially decrease stock value by 10-15%.
- The financial article on TechCrunch discusses the job market impact of Meta's offshoring strategy, highlighting concerns about a potential decline in US tech sector job opportunities due to work being relocated abroad.
- In the fiscal year 2024-2025, nearly 207,000 Indian nationals were granted H-1B visas to work in the United States, making Indians the largest group of H-1B recipients.
- The offshoring of jobs by Meta, along with discussions about the actions of previous generations in relation to the country's job market, have sparked debates among netizens about the broader implications of such offshoring strategies on the US tech industry and the job market in general.
