Technical Workers

It is ironic to see that companies which only a short time ago had been lobbying to increase the number of working permits for foreigners are now announcing major cutbacks, furloughs and mandatory pay cuts affecting local workers (“Serious Slump Hits Key Firms in Silicon Valley,” Aug. 1). Presently 65,000 foreign technical workers a year can obtain an H-1B permit to work and remain in this country for six years.

During the last six years alone, approximately 360,000 foreign workers have received this permit. This number constitutes a large percentage of the technical population growth during this time in our country. To try to increase or even continue this trend would displace more technical workers and also discourage new college students from entering the technical field, since the trend would be to import cheaper foreign workers rather than employ local talent.

If shortages of technical people are predicted, affected companies should try to invest into retraining present employees when needed, but most of all into facilitating and encouraging college students to follow technical fields.

ALBERT N. MERCADO

Los Angeles