Amazon is trying to make sure its workers are not being exploited, but the retailer has come under fire from the unions.
The US-based retailer said on Tuesday it was reducing the number of full-time jobs it offers to 50,000, while also giving more time to its part-time workers.
It also plans to create new jobs, such as on-demand services and freelance, for some of its staff, and it will allow more employees to join the ranks of hourly workers.
Amazon is the world’s largest e-commerce company with a market capitalisation of about $4.3 trillion (£2.9 trillion).
The move comes after the retailer cut its forecast for full-year sales, saying it had lost money.
In its statement, Amazon said it would reduce the number it offers full-timers to 50% and offer the same amount of time to part-timbers.
It said it was increasing the amount of paid holiday for workers and allowing them to join more of its hourly jobs.
Amazon said it expected the job losses to reduce its annual profit by $150m, but said it did not expect to make any further cuts.
It added that it would provide more detailed information to staff, including the details of the new roles.
“Amazon is committed to ensuring that our employees are treated with respect, dignity and respect for our business goals, and we are working closely with our employees to ensure that we are delivering on that commitment,” Amazon said.
“While we continue to offer some flexibility in the hiring process to address the needs of part- time workers, we are not offering these opportunities to full- and hourly employees.”‘
We can’t keep on living on the same level’The jobs cuts are a blow to workers, who say Amazon’s decision has caused them to lose jobs, and they have been angered by the company’s recent actions.
“It’s not going to be the same for everyone,” said one worker at a local Amazon warehouse, adding that he is looking for a full- time job.
“We are just going to have to move on.
We can’t do this anymore.”
Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.
The company is in the middle of a major restructuring plan.
The move comes as Amazon’s chief executive Jeff Bezos is under fire for his handling of the US election, and for the company not doing enough to protect workers and the environment.
Amazon has struggled in the US for years as it tries to expand its business overseas.
Last month, the retailer said it had slashed nearly a third of its workforce and said it could not keep on running as a publicly traded company.
