Some UK roles among those affected
Amazon is restructuring its global business(Image: PA)
Amazon has told employees it intends to cut some16,000 positions worldwide as part of measures to streamline operations.This marks the latest significant wave of redundancies at the retail technology giant, arriving just three months after it cut roughly 14,000 roles.
It is understood that whilst the bulk of positions affected by the current round will be in the US, the UK division will also see some job losses. The company has not revealed how many British workers will be impacted.
In a blog post to staff, Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, wrote: “As I shared in October, we’ve been working to strengthen our organisation by reducing layers, increasing ownership and removing bureaucracy.”
She added: “Some of you might ask if this is the beginning of a new rhythm – where we announce broad reductions every few months. That’s not our plan.”
The announcement follows redundancy proposals being accidentally disclosed to certain staff members on Tuesday, and comes against a backdrop of increasing AI integration within corporate functions.
Last year, chief executive Andy Jassy indicated Amazon would likely reduce headcount over the coming years as it expands its deployment of artificial intelligence for numerous tasks.
The company had approximately 1.57 million employees at the end of September last year, with roughly 350,000 within its corporate workforce, whilst the majority work in its warehouses.
Around 75,000 people are employed across its UK operations. Earlier this week, Amazon announced the closure of its remaining Amazon Fresh and Go convenience outlets throughout the United States, choosing to concentrate on its Whole Foods supermarket operations instead.
Last September, the retail giant revealed plans to shut down its 19 Amazon Fresh shops across Britain, affecting approximately 250 employees.
Rachel Fagan, an organiser for the GMB trade union, commented: “Amazon is showing itself for what it is – a company that cannot be trusted to do the right thing by working people in the UK.”
She added: “Now is the time for decision makers to see Amazon for what it is, a company fixated on eye-watering profits at the expense of workers and local people.”
