Amazon is set to cut jobs again, with reports suggesting around 300 positions in Ireland could be affected as part of a fresh round of global staff reductions. While the figure has not yet been officially confirmed by the company, it follows Amazon’s announcement that it will cut 16,000 jobs worldwide, adding to a previously announced plan to reduce its workforce by 30,000 roles.
Amazon employs about 6,500 people in Ireland. Last October, 150 jobs were lost here as part of earlier global cuts. Ireland’s Department of Enterprise confirmed it has received a collective redundancy notification from Amazon Ireland, noting that several multinational firms are currently restructuring due to global pressures, with knock-on effects for Irish operations.
The total planned layoffs represent roughly 10% of Amazon’s corporate workforce, a small fraction of its overall global headcount of 1.58 million, most of whom work in fulfilment centres and warehouses. Reuters reported earlier this week that Amazon was preparing a second wave of job cuts, following 14,000 layoffs announced in October.
Amazon’s chief people officer Beth Galetti said the cuts are intended to streamline the organisation by reducing management layers and bureaucracy. CEO Andy Jassy has previously warned that increased use of artificial intelligence and automation would inevitably lead to fewer corporate roles.
The company is already closing its remaining physical Fresh grocery stores and Go Markets, while robotics and AI are increasingly handling packaging, logistics and even complex office tasks. The latest layoffs underline how rapidly AI-driven automation is reshaping the global tech workforce, with Ireland not immune to the impact.