Amazon To Sack More Than 18,000 Staffs

The online retail giant Amazon has announced it’s plans to lay off 18,000 of it’s staffs, citing the “uncertain economy” and the fact it hired rapidly during the Covid pandemic.

“Between the reductions we made in November and the ones we’re sharing today, we plan to eliminate just over 18,000 roles,” said CEO Andy Jassy in a statement to his staff.

This is considerably more than the 10,000 layoffs he announced in November.

Jassey said the company’s leadership was “deeply aware that these role eliminations are difficult for people, and we don’t take these decisions lightly”.

“We are working to support those who are affected and are providing packages that include a separation payment, transitional health insurance benefits, and external job placement support,” he said.

Some of the layoffs would be in Europe, Jassey said, adding that the affected workers would start being informed as of 18 January.