Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi may cut 15 percent of its workforce

Xiaomi had 35,314 employees as of September 30, with more than 32,000 in mainland China. The extent of the lay-offs is unknown. Xiaomi has declined to comment on the issue.

Hong Kong: Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi may lay off workers from multiple departments, as it aims to reduce 15 per cent of its workforce amid the rough global macroeconomic conditions and local Covid-19 lockdowns, the South China Morning Post reported. The report cited several social media posts by affected Xiaomi employees and local Chinese media reports.

Xiaomi had 35,314 employees as of September 30, with more than 32,000 in mainland China. The extent of the lay-offs is unknown and "Xiaomi declined to comment", according to the report that came out late on Monday. According to a report by Chinese media outlet Jiemian, Xiaomi will cut jobs in several units of its smartphone and internet services business.

China reported that some departments have seen layoffs of up to 75 per cent, while others have had around 40 per cent of their teams cut. China's social media platforms, including Weibo, Xiaohongshu and Maimai, have been flooded with posts about the reported Xiaomi job cuts. The news of the layoffs comes as Xiaomi's financial performance has been under pressure in 2022.

The Beijing-based tech giant started laying off workers this year amid weaker sales due to Covid-19 lockdowns in China and slower consumer spending.It is estimated that the number of layoffs in this round may reach 6,000. (IANS)