White House Stops Microsoft From Hiring Foreign Workers Program
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The White House has blocked Microsoft from taking part in a program that allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers.
The program is based on a type of visa, a document that allows someone to live and work in another country. For many years, this visa has helped US tech companies bring in highly skilled employees from abroad.
Microsoft is one of the world's largest technology companies. It is known for making software, including products used in offices and businesses around the world.
According to a BBC report, the White House has now decided that Microsoft can no longer use this hiring program. This means the company will not be able to bring in new foreign workers through this particular visa system.
The visa program has long been important for the US tech industry. Many companies rely on it to find workers with special skills that are sometimes hard to find locally.
It is not yet clear from the report exactly why the White House made this decision, or whether other companies might face similar restrictions in the future.
This move could have an effect on how Microsoft plans its workforce, especially for roles that need highly specialized knowledge.
The decision is likely to raise questions among other tech firms that also depend on this kind of international hiring. Many in the industry will be watching closely to see what happens next.
For now, the exact details of the policy change, and how long it might last, remain unclear.
Vocabulary5 words
- visa
- a document that lets a person work in another country
- technology companies
- businesses that make computer products or software
- tech industry
- all the companies that work with computers and technology
- workforce
- all the people who work for a company
- restrictions
- rules that limit what you can do
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Blocked it from a foreign worker hiring program 2. Hire highly skilled workers from other countries 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The White House has blocked Microsoft from taking part in a program that allows US companies to hire _____ foreign workers.
The program is based on a type of _____, a document that allows someone to live and work in another country.
Microsoft is one of the world's largest _____ companies.
According to a BBC report, the White House has now decided that Microsoft can no longer use this hiring _____.
The visa program has long been important for the US tech _____.
Many companies rely on it to find workers with special _____ that are sometimes hard to find locally.
It is not yet clear from the report exactly why the White House made this _____.
This move could have an effect on how Microsoft plans its _____.
The decision is likely to raise questions among other tech firms that also depend on this kind of international _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think tech companies hire skilled workers from other countries?
- What effects might this decision have on Microsoft's business?
- Do you think governments should limit foreign worker hiring programs? Why or why not?
- How might other tech companies react to this news?
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