Amazon says it will cut more than 18,000 jobs from its workforce, citing “uncertain economy” and the fact that the online retail giant had “hired rapidly” during the pandemic.

Amazon CEO, Andy Jassy, made this known via a statement to the company’s officials on Wednesday.

The company had announced 10,000 layoffs in November.

“Between the reductions we made in November and the ones we’re sharing today, we plan to eliminate just over 18,000 roles,” Jassy stated.

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

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“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.

The Amazon boss said some of the layoffs would be in Europe, adding that the impacted workers would be informed starting on January 18.

He stated that the sudden announcement was being made because “because one of our teammates leaked this information externally.”

“Amazon has weathered uncertain and difficult economies in the past, and we will continue to do so,” Jassy added.

The retailer had indeed hired with a vengeance during the pandemic to meet an explosion in demand for deliveries, doubling its global staff between the beginning of 2020 and the beginning of 2022.

The group had 1.54 million employees worldwide at the end of September, not including seasonal workers recruited during periods of increased activity, particularly during the holiday season.

The Star