Walmart to cut 1,500 jobs, sparks social media backlash and visa policy debates
The layoffs are reportedly part of Walmart’s broader efforts to reduce costs and adapt to the changing business environment | Image source: iStock
Walmart is set to lay off approximately 1,500 employees as part of a ‘strategic’ restructuring intended to streamline operations and speed up the decision-making process. The job cuts mostly impact roles within Walmart’s technology unit, E-commerce fulfilment centre and the advertising segment named Walmart Connect.
As per an internal memo obtained by Reuters, the reformation seeks to enhance the company’s capability to provide innovative retail experiences. Walmart claims to create new positions aligned with its growth proposal to compensate for the eliminated roles.
Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal reports these layoffs are part of Walmart’s broader efforts to reduce costs and adapt to the changing business environment. Even with job cuts, Walmart aims to maintain stable prices following its strong sales growth in the latest quarter.
Amid these changes, Walmart is also facing heat from social media in connection with the H-1B visa programme. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) have commented that Walmart is favouring foreign labour over American labour.
One user commented, "Oh, guess what? The large layoffs today at Walmart are from its technology team. You know, the kind of US worker who's replaced by H1B." Another user questioned, "1500. Wow, that's a bloodbath. How many H-1Bs are they bringing in next year?"
The H-1B visa programme, designed to allow US employers to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations, has been a controversial topic. According to a report by AFL-CIO, Walmart and its contractors allegedly rely heavily on H-1B visas for IT labourers and reduced wages. Unsurprisingly, Indian nationals make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders. The report also highlights that many H-1B workers are denied a path to citizenship, voicing concerns about worker vulnerability and progress.
As the company navigates these changes, the impact on both US and foreign employees remains a key topic in discussions on evolving labour policies.
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