Washington: Observing that the H-1B work visa programme helps hire the best available talent of the world, American software giant Microsoft has said H-1B visa holders has contributed significantly to its success.

However, the company, which had recently announced to lay off some 5,000 jobs in the next 18 months, would be handing over pink slips to H-1B visa holders too.

Microsoft’s observation on H-1B visas and their significant contribution to its success was made by the company in a letter to Senator Charles Grassley.

H1-B employees have always accounted for less than 15% of Microsoft’s US workforce, the level that is used in immigration law to determine whether a company is “H-1B dependent,” the letter said.

The Senator in a letter dated 22 January had sought information from Microsoft particularly about how its plan to fire 5,000 people would affect US workers and non-US citizens working for Microsoft.

The Microsoft letter dated 3 March written by Bradford L Smith, its general counsel, has been posted on its website http://microsoftontheissues.com.