Additional Coverage:
- CEO under fire for mass layoffs amid foreign worker hiring spree now appointed to Fed’s task force on jobs (foxnews.com)
Asha Sharma, CEO of Microsoft’s Xbox division, has been appointed to a high-profile Federal Reserve task force amid controversy surrounding recent layoffs at her company. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced plans to cut 4,800 jobs, including 1,600 within the Xbox division, while having received approval earlier this year to hire over 2,200 foreign workers on H-1B visas.
The Federal Reserve named Sharma to its newly formed “Productivity and Jobs” advisory group, which also includes notable figures such as Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, and Stanford economics professor Charles I. Jones. The task force aims to enhance the Fed’s policy tools and approaches to better meet its goals of price stability and maximum employment, according to Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh.
However, the timing of Sharma’s appointment sparked criticism online, with detractors accusing Microsoft of replacing American workers with foreign visa holders. Comments ranged from harsh comparisons to accusations that the Federal Reserve is encouraging layoffs in favor of foreign labor. Some critics also pointed to Sharma’s Indian heritage in discussions about the company’s use of H-1B visas, a program predominantly utilized by workers from India.
Sharma, who was born in Wisconsin, has faced scrutiny for her qualifications in both gaming and economics, with some alleging her leadership role at Xbox was unmerited. Neither Xbox nor the Federal Reserve responded to requests for comment regarding the controversy.
In response to concerns about visa misuse, Vice President JD Vance recently announced an investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud, emphasizing a commitment to prioritize American workers.
Microsoft defended its layoffs, stating the decisions were driven by business needs rather than visa status, and noted that H-1B employees were also among those impacted. The company maintained that the restructuring was part of broader operational adjustments rather than a targeted replacement of domestic workers.
The appointment of Sharma to the Federal Reserve task force continues to fuel debate over corporate employment practices and the role of foreign labor in the U.S. economy.