Uber India has laid off 600 of its 2,600 staff across all levels of teams due to the impact of COVID-19 on the business. Employees in corporate headquarters have been impacted including customer and driver support teams, business development, legal, finance, policy, and marketing. A part of the company’s global technology centre teams has also been impacted.
The layoffs are part of the company’s already announced global layoffs last week. Uber announced that it will cut three thousand additional jobs, close 45 offices worldwide as the company struggles through the pandemic period.
As of last week, the ride-hailing company had reduced its workforce by 25%, making these layoffs one of the largest in the wake of the pandemic.
“The impact of Covid-19 and the unpredictable nature of the recovery has left Uber India with no choice but to reduce the size of its workforce…600 people across driver and rider support, as well as other functions, are being impacted,” said Pradeep Parameswaran, President, Uber India and South Asia.
“Today is an incredibly sad day for colleagues leaving the Uber family and all of us at the company. …. I want to apologize to departing colleagues, and extend my heartfelt thanks to them for their contributions to Uber and the riders and driver-partners we serve in India,” Parameswaran added.
The affected employees will receive a minimum of 10 weeks payout, medical insurance coverage for the next six months, outplacement support, be allowed to retain their laptops and given the option to join the Uber talent directory.