Amazon is reportedly preparing to announce a major round of layoffs as part of its ongoing workforce restructuring plan, with around 16,000 corporate roles expected to be cut this week. According to recent reports, the layoffs will impact teams globally, but India is likely to be one of the most affected regions, with significant job losses anticipated across key offices in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
This latest move follows Amazon’s earlier layoffs, where the company let go of approximately 14,000 employees last year. Together, these reductions align with earlier claims that Amazon plans to reduce its workforce by nearly 30,000 roles by mid-2026, signaling a continued effort to reshape its organizational structure.
What the Reports Say
As per a report by Reuters, Amazon is expected to officially announce the layoffs on Tuesday. While the exact number of employees affected has not yet been finalized, the report suggests that the cuts will span multiple regions and departments. The company may still adjust the plan before making the announcement public.
The layoffs are expected to impact several key Amazon divisions, including:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Retail
- Prime Video
- Devices
- People Experience and Technology (Human Resources)
This wide-ranging impact highlights the scale of the restructuring and suggests that both core business units and support functions could face reductions.
Impact on Amazon’s India Operations
India is reportedly facing a particularly heavy impact in this round of layoffs. According to reports cited by The Free Press Journal and online discussions, white-collar jobs across Amazon’s Indian offices are at risk.
The offices expected to be most affected include:
- Chennai, where core operational and management functions may face the biggest cuts
- Bengaluru, one of Amazon’s primary technology hubs in India
- Hyderabad, another major center for engineering and tech operations
Bengaluru and Hyderabad play a critical role in Amazon’s global technology infrastructure, making the reported cuts especially notable for the company’s long-term presence in the region.
It is also worth noting that Amazon laid off around 800 to 1,000 employees in India in October 2025, indicating that the current move is part of a broader, ongoing downsizing trend rather than a one-off decision.
Why Is Amazon Cutting Jobs?
Amazon has not officially disclosed the reasons behind the upcoming layoffs. However, reports suggest several contributing factors, including:
- Reducing internal bureaucracy that expanded during the rapid COVID-19 growth phase
- Streamlining operations to improve efficiency and cut costs
- Replacing certain roles due to the increased use of artificial intelligence and automation
These steps are reportedly part of Amazon’s long-term strategy to restructure its workforce and adapt to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and evolving business priorities.
What Comes Next?
While the final number of layoffs and the exact scope remain uncertain until an official announcement is made, the reports point to another significant moment in Amazon’s ongoing transformation. For employees, especially in India, the coming days are likely to bring clarity—but also continued uncertainty—as the tech giant reshapes its workforce for the future.
As always, more details are expected once Amazon formally addresses the situation.