Mumbai, January 30: Amazon has officially confirmed a sweeping new round of global layoffs, impacting approximately 16,000 employees across its international workforce. While the majority of these reductions are concentrated in the United States, the move has significantly hit operations in India, with hundreds of staff members across major tech hubs receiving redundancy notices this week.

The latest workforce reduction marks Amazon’s second major round of job cuts in just three months, following the elimination of 14,000 roles at the end of 2025. In India, teams based in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are among the most affected, as the company begins the process of notifying impacted personnel via official emails regarding severance and transition support. Layoffs in 2026: Amazon, UPS, Dow and Other Global Tech Giants Axe Thousands of Jobs Amid Rising Costs and AI Restructuring.

Amazon Layoffs Impact in India

According to internal communications, the layoffs in India span various corporate functions, including technology, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Prime Video, and human resources. While the e-commerce giant has not provided a specific country-wise breakdown of the numbers, the impact in India is described as part of a broader "organisational reset" intended to streamline operations.

The company stated that the timelines for the exit process in international markets, including India, will vary based on local labour laws and regulatory requirements. Impacted employees in India have begun receiving "final" emails detailing a non-working transition period, severance packages, and continued access to certain benefits to assist with the professional transition.

Corporate Restructuring and Bureaucracy

The decision to reduce the headcount stems from a strategic goal to simplify the company’s internal structure. Amazon’s Chief People Officer, Beth Galetti, noted that the firm is working to "strengthen the organisation by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy." This round of cuts takes the total number of recent layoffs at Amazon to roughly 30,000, surpassing the scale of the 27,000 jobs cut in 2023.

Amazon has clarified that these changes are not an indicator of frequent future layoffs but are the result of individual teams reviewing how they are structured. The company aims to move away from the aggressive pandemic-era hiring levels and recalibrate its workforce to focus on high-priority areas that align with current market demands.

Severance and Employee Support

For those affected, Amazon is providing a comprehensive support package. This includes financial severance, external job placement services, and up to 12 months of complimentary access to AWS Skill Builder to help employees upskill for future roles. During the transition period, staff will retain limited access to internal HR portals and communication tools to manage their exit formalities.

In the US, most affected employees have been granted a 90-day window to apply for other internal roles. While the specific duration of the "non-working transition period" for Indian employees depends on local contracts, the company has encouraged staff to utilise the Employee Assistance Portal for support during this period.

Future Focus on AI

Despite the significant reduction in personnel, Amazon has indicated that it will continue to hire selectively for strategic roles. The company is particularly focused on long-term growth sectors, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) remaining a primary area of investment. Galetti mentioned that the company sees significant opportunities ahead and remains in the early stages of building several new business segments. Tech Layoffs 2026: Amazon, Meta, TCS, Pinterest and Others Reduce Workforce by Laying Off Thousands of Employees in January.

This move by Amazon mirrors a wider trend across the technology sector. Companies such as Meta, Microsoft, and TCS have also been recalibrating their workforces, shifting focus and resources toward AI-driven technologies and leaner operational models. For now, Amazon has stated it does not plan to announce further large-scale job cuts in the immediate months.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 30, 2026 12:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).