Amazon Layoffs 2026: 16,000 Jobs Cut Tomorrow; India Hit Hard

Amazon Braces for Mass Layoffs: 16,000 Roles at Risk on Jan 27

Amazon is reportedly set to announce a fresh round of job cuts on January 27, 2026, potentially impacting approximately 16,000 employees globally. This move marks the second phase of a massive restructuring effort aimed at trimming 30,000 corporate roles by mid-2026—the largest workforce reduction in the company’s 30-year history.

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1. Severe Impact on India Teams

Unlike previous rounds that focused heavily on North American operations, this wave is expected to hit Indian hubs especially hard.

• Major Hubs: Corporate teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are seen as particularly vulnerable.

• Estimated Local Impact: Reports suggest roughly 1,000 to 2,000 Indian employees could be affected in this phase alone.

• Divisions at Risk: The cuts are expected to target high-salary corporate roles in:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS): Trimming legacy support and program management.

  • Prime Video & Studios: Consolidating international content teams.

  • PXT (HR): Replacing administrative layers with AI-integrated workflows.

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2. Why the Layoffs? “Culture” vs. “AI”

CEO Andy Jassy has shifted the narrative behind these cuts, moving away from “economic pressure” toward a focus on organizational efficiency.

• “Managerial Bloat”: Jassy has been vocal about removing “excessive layers” of management that slow down decision-making, aiming to return Amazon to a “startup-like” speed.

• The AI Factor: While Jassy claims the cuts aren’t purely AI-driven, internal memos link the restructuring to generative AI automating routine tasks in coding, customer support, and HR operations.

• Targeting PIPs: Internal chatter suggests that employees currently on Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) may be the first to receive notifications.

3. Timeline of Amazon’s Largest Restructuring

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