Two recent letters expressed opposing views of the federal H-1B visa program ("Abolish the H-1B visa program," Oct. 21, and "Visa program a plus for U.S.," Oct. 21). As a retired manager in the software field, I have long opposed this program.
I do this not due to the alleged injustices perpetrated by employers on the H-1B recipients, but due to the injustices perpetrated on our native work force.
Companies cut training budgets for their workers and then lay them off when switching technologies. The companies then advertise for mixes of skills and experience that are rare if not incompatible and then get permission to employ H-1Bs who are qualified only on paper. The companies employ these people at lower salaries than the rate paid the laid-off workers and provide no benefits.
Meanwhile, I know programmers who have become carpenters and college computer science graduates who sell cars.
The managers who advocate these tactics are more concerned about decreasing costs and moving on than the quality of the product or the effect they have on their colleagues. That the government allows this sham, decried by many workers and hands-on managers, is an ongoing example of the movement of our democracy to a plutocracy.
PETER A. VANCE
East Berne