Employment 6 March 2026 - 8 May 2026

South32’s Eskom Power Deal Puts 29,000 Aluminium Jobs in Play
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South32’s Eskom Power Deal Puts 29,000 Aluminium Jobs in Play

South32 aims to secure a new electricity deal for its Hillside Aluminium smelter by 2029, ahead of its discounted Eskom contract expiring in 2031. Talks with Eskom include renewable power options with backup supply. The smelter supports thousands of jobs and consumes power continuously. South32’s Mozal plant in Mozambique shut in March after failing to secure affordable electricity.
May 10, 2026
Commerzbank’s 3,000-Job Cut Bet Could Decide the UniCredit Takeover Fight
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Commerzbank’s 3,000-Job Cut Bet Could Decide the UniCredit Takeover Fight

Commerzbank will cut up to 3,000 more jobs and raised profit targets for 2026 and 2030 as it resists UniCredit’s takeover bid. UniCredit’s all-share offer values Commerzbank below its market price, and Berlin, labor leaders, and regulators have joined the dispute. UniCredit holds just under 30% of Commerzbank and seeks to cross Germany’s takeover threshold. Commerzbank reported Q1 net profit of €913 million, up 9%.
May 8, 2026
Federal Bank EPFO Payments Go Live: What Changes For Employers Paying PF Dues
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Federal Bank EPFO Payments Go Live: What Changes For Employers Paying PF Dues

Federal Bank has enabled Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation payments through its net-banking platform, offering customers a direct online channel to pay EPF dues. The service, launched in New Delhi with EPFO officials present, aims to streamline compliance for businesses and individuals. Federal Bank shares traded at 295 rupees, down 0.69% at 2:22 p.m. Friday. EPFO’s network of empanelled banks rose to 32 from April 2025.
May 8, 2026
Qatar Airways’ Uzbek Hiring Push: Why a 1,600-Specialist Plan Matters Now
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Qatar Airways’ Uzbek Hiring Push: Why a 1,600-Specialist Plan Matters Now

Qatar Airways will recruit 65 workers from Uzbekistan in May and June for roles including flight attendants and engineers, Uzbek state media said. The airline may later hire up to 1,600 Uzbek specialists as it rebuilds its network after cutting U.S. flights by 49% for Q2 2026. A labor forum with over 50 Qatari employers is planned in Tashkent in September. Details on pay, visas, and training remain unclear.
May 7, 2026
Cognizant Layoffs: 15,000 Jobs May Be at Risk as Project Leap Puts India Workforce in Focus
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Cognizant Layoffs: 15,000 Jobs May Be at Risk as Project Leap Puts India Workforce in Focus

Cognizant may cut 12,000 to 15,000 jobs globally under Project Leap, with most layoffs likely in India, according to multiple Indian news outlets citing internal estimates. The company has set aside up to $270 million for severance and personnel costs, but has not confirmed numbers. Cognizant employs over 250,000 people in India out of 357,600 worldwide. Project Leap aims to shift the company toward a leaner, AI-driven model.
May 6, 2026
KPMG Job Cuts Expose Big Four Pressure as Staff Uproar Builds
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KPMG Job Cuts Expose Big Four Pressure as Staff Uproar Builds

KPMG faces staff complaints in the UK over poor communication during a redundancy round affecting more than 500 jobs, mainly in audit and advisory. The UK cuts follow U.S. layoffs of about 400 consultants and the winding down of its federal audit business after losing a Pentagon contract. KPMG UK-Swiss group reported £3.6 billion in revenue for the year to September 2025, with advisory revenue down 3%.
May 6, 2026
Coinbase Layoffs: 700 Jobs Cut as Brian Armstrong Bets on AI in Crypto Slowdown
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Coinbase Layoffs: 700 Jobs Cut as Brian Armstrong Bets on AI in Crypto Slowdown

Coinbase Global will cut about 700 jobs, or 14% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs and adapting to artificial intelligence. The company expects $50–$60 million in charges, mostly for severance, with the plan largely done by the end of Q2. Shares rose 0.5% after the announcement. CEO Brian Armstrong cited slower trading and increased AI use as key factors.
May 5, 2026
Cognizant Layoffs: Up To 15,000 Jobs May Be At Risk As India Braces For AI Shake-Up
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Cognizant Layoffs: Up To 15,000 Jobs May Be At Risk As India Braces For AI Shake-Up

Cognizant is considering cutting 12,000 to 15,000 jobs globally, with most reductions likely in India, Moneycontrol reported, citing sources. The company has not confirmed numbers but expects $200 million to $270 million in severance costs under its Project Leap restructuring. Cognizant ended March with 357,600 employees and reported $5.41 billion in first-quarter revenue.
May 5, 2026
WiseTech Global Faces Fresh Fair Work Fight as AI Job Cuts Roll On
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WiseTech Global Faces Fresh Fair Work Fight as AI Job Cuts Roll On

WiseTech Global’s former head of tax, Melina Green, has lodged a claim with Australia’s Fair Work Commission over her dismissal, the Australian Financial Review reported. The dispute comes as WiseTech implements a major AI-driven restructure, cutting about 2,000 jobs over two years. The company’s shares closed at A$43.72 before Monday’s trade in Sydney. WiseTech has not issued a market update on the employment claim.
May 3, 2026
Whitbread Shares Sink as Premier Inn Owner Puts 3,800 Jobs at Risk in Restaurant Exit
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Whitbread Shares Sink as Premier Inn Owner Puts 3,800 Jobs at Risk in Restaurant Exit

Whitbread PLC will close or sell its remaining 197 branded restaurants, including Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, risking about 3,800 UK and Ireland jobs as it shifts to a hotel-focused model. Shares fell 6.33% after the announcement. The company has agreed to sell 51 restaurants for £50 million and is in talks for 60 more. Unite union criticised Whitbread for how it communicated the job cuts.
April 30, 2026
Commonwealth Bank Job Cuts: Why CBA’s AI Push Is Hitting Bankwest Now
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Commonwealth Bank Job Cuts: Why CBA’s AI Push Is Hitting Bankwest Now

Commonwealth Bank of Australia plans to cut about 119 jobs, including 43 at Bankwest, amid increased use of automation and artificial intelligence. The Finance Sector Union said six roles were directly impacted by automation and warned of further job losses. CBA has not formally announced the cuts but said its workforce grew by 2,500 in 2025. The bank recently deployed an AI system to detect payment fraud.
April 24, 2026
Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks
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Glencore Extends South Africa Smelter Job-Cut Deadline to April 7 in Eskom Power Talks

Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture extended its retrenchment consultation deadline to April 7 as Eskom requested more time to finalize a discounted power deal at 62 South African cents per kWh. The venture warned job cuts affecting up to 1,500 workers remain likely if tariff terms are not improved. Samancor Chrome, also offered the lower rate, resumed layoff plans that could impact 2,400 employees. Merafe reported a 63% drop in 2025 ferrochrome output.
April 1, 2026
Epic Games Layoffs Show Fortnite’s Slowdown Is Hitting the Wider Video Game Industry
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Epic Games Layoffs Show Fortnite’s Slowdown Is Hitting the Wider Video Game Industry

Epic Games laid off over 1,000 employees, about 20% of its staff, on March 24 after Fortnite engagement and playtime dropped sharply. CEO Tim Sweeney cited falling growth, weaker spending, and rising costs. Research firm Ampere Analysis said Fortnite’s peak monthly active players on PlayStation and Xbox fell 28% from 2023. Roblox surpassed Fortnite in average playtime and daily visits for the first time.
March 28, 2026
HSBC Share Price Rebounds After 20,000 Job-Cut Report, but AI Push and Middle East Risks Loom
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HSBC Share Price Rebounds After 20,000 Job-Cut Report, but AI Push and Middle East Risks Loom

HSBC shares rose about 1% in London on Friday after a 3.1% drop Thursday, following reports the bank may cut up to 20,000 jobs, or roughly 10% of its workforce. The cuts would align with CEO Georges Elhedery’s restructuring strategy, as investors weigh cost reductions and AI investments against risks from Middle East instability and higher UK rates.
March 20, 2026
Primark Raises Pay to £13 for Great Britain Staff, Expands Repair Service as Retail Wage Race Intensifies
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Primark Raises Pay to £13 for Great Britain Staff, Expands Repair Service as Retail Wage Race Intensifies

Primark will raise pay for over 27,000 retail workers in Great Britain to at least £13 an hour from April 1, with London staff earning at least £13.71. The company also expanded its clothing-repair service to three stores after a successful Manchester pilot. The pay hike comes as British retailers face higher labour costs and weak sales, with Primark’s like-for-like sales down 2.7% in the 16 weeks to Jan. 3.
March 18, 2026
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