Amazon Finds 30,000 Employees 'Redundant,' Profits Still Essential
Amazon reportedly plans to cut up to 30,000 corporate roles, nearly 10% of its white-collar workforce, according to sources. This comes after firing 27,000 in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, Amazon's net income for 2023 was a staggering $30.4 billion, a dramatic increase from $2.7 billion in 2022. One might charitably call this 'optimization.' Critics, however, might point out that the company could
afford to retain these roles if its priorities aligned with human welfare rather than endless growth. As these 'redundant' employees are shown the door, Amazon's stock price continues its steady climb. It appears that for the corporate overlords, 30,000 severed livelihoods are just another expense line to cut if it boosts the quarterly earnings report. How many rounds of layoffs does it take
before we question the definition of 'success' in this economy?