Amazon CEO says layoffs will extend into next year
New York (AP): The mass layoffs that began in Amazon's corporate ranks this week will extend into next year, CEO Andy Jassy said on Thursday.
In a note sent to employees, Jassy said the company told workers in its devices and books divisions about layoffs on Wednesday. He said it also offered some other employees a voluntary buyout offer.
"I have been in this role now for about a year and a half, and without a doubt, this is the most difficult decision we have made during that time (and, we have had to make some very tough calls over the past couple of years, particularly during the heart of the pandemic)," Jassy wrote in the memo.
Seattle-based Amazon, which has been cutting costs in various areas of its business in the past few months, is undergoing an annual review process to figure out where it can save more money. Jassy said this year's review is "more difficult" due to the economic landscape and the company's rapid hiring in the last several years.
Other tech companies -- many of which had gone on hiring binges in the past few years -- have also been trimming their workforce amid concerns about an economic slowdown. Among others, Facebook parent Meta said last week it would lay off 11,000 people, about 13 per cent of its workforce. And Elon Musk, the new Twitter CEO, has slashed the company's workforce in half this month.
On Tuesday, Amazon notified authorities in California that it would lay off about 260 corporate workers at various facilities in the state. The company has not publicly disclosed how many employees it laid off this week across its entire corporate workforce, though some based in Seattle said they have also been let go.
Jassy said the company has not concluded how many other jobs will be impacted. He noted there will be reductions in certain divisions as the company goes through the annual review process, which will continue into next year. As they weigh job cuts, he said leaders at the company will prioritise what matters most to customers and the long-term health of the company.
Amazon is offering severance packages for employees who leave the company. But -- unlike Meta, for example -- it has not publicly provided details of the package.
The company employs more than 1.5 million (15 lakh) workers globally, primarily made up of hourly workers.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
MVA to keep all its newly-elected MLAs under one roof after poll results: Sanjay Raut
Mumbai (PTI): The Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents have decided to house all its newly-elected MLAs together in Mumbai after the Maharashtra election results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Friday, a move aimed at preventing poaching ahead of government formation.
Talking to reporters here, Raut said MVA leaders, including himself, his party colleague Anil Desai, NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil and Congress leaders Satej Patil and Balasaheb Thorat met on Thursday and carried out an assessment of every seat.
"We have decided to bring all newly-elected MLAs to Mumbai. New MLAs have no provision to stay in Mumbai. So we have decided to make their residential arrangements together," he said.
The counting of votes for the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls will take place on Saturday.
Raut expressed confidence that the MVA would win 160 seats in the elections.
Some independents, who have strong chances of victory, have expressed their desire to support the opposition bloc, the Rajya Sabha member said.
"There is no formula for the CM's post. Everyone will choose the leader of the government," Raut said.
Senior Congress leaders have to come to Mumbai with a mandate on the CM's post as NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray are in Mumbai.
He also asserted that no power can stop the MVA from forming the next government in Maharashtra and that the decision on the top post will be taken only in Maharashtra.
Fissures have emerged within the opposition MVA as well as the ruling Mahayuti on who will head the next government with constituents in both camps laying claim over the chief minister's post. While state Congress chief Nana Patole asserted that a MVA government will be formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of his party, Raut on Thursday insisted the CM face will be decided by all alliance partners jointly.
Raut expressed fear that the BJP will try to obstruct the MVA through the governor's office in forming the government despite the opposition having the majority.
"We will take a decision without any delay, or else BJP will try to snatch power ruthlessly," hesaid.
The term of the Maharashtra legislative assembly ends on November 26. The opposition fears that President's rule could be imposed in the state if a new government is not formed till then.
