But now, he said, they are contract workers, not employees.
The company has also laid off some of its contract workers and employees.
The company has also dismissed 500 contract workers this year.
The company further announced that it will stop using contract workers by March 2013.
The number of Americans who have been replaced by foreign contract workers is unknown.
"Even for part-time jobs and contract workers, most companies only accept people under 35."
Contract workers, especially skilled engineers, can often make better money in the open market.
It also have around 1200 contract workers to cater to the support services.
The rest are contract workers receiving low wages and no benefits.
A total of nearly 900 employees and contract workers will be transferred or laid off.
