- cross-posted to:
- enoughmuskspam
- cross-posted to:
- enoughmuskspam
Summary
Tesla replaced many laid-off U.S. workers with foreign H-1B visa holders after a 2024 wave of layoffs affecting 15,000 employees.
These visas, tied to employer sponsorship, often lower compensation and give employers significant leverage over workers.
Critics argue this displaces U.S. employees, as senior engineers were replaced by lower-paid junior engineers.
CEO Elon Musk, while advocating for expanding H-1B visa caps, faces backlash, especially from conservatives, for “job-stealing” concerns.
Musk contends there’s a U.S. skill shortage, but critics highlight potential exploitation tied to Tesla’s demanding work culture and visa dependence.
Scabs understand that there’s a picket line and that they’re acting against fellow workers.
I don’t think the people being recruited for ‘jobs in the USA’ know very much about US domestic politics, visa structures, or the possibility that they’re being hired to replace layoffs. I would guess that most of them let the opportunity to get to the US, legally, and the hope that they can convert that to better status once there, outweighs all other considerations.
You’re free to have your own take. I don’t think the intention of the worker changes the situation for me. They want better, and so does the scab. /shrug