Qualcomm begins layoffs in India, around 1,000 jobs estimated to be at risk

US chip producer Qualcomm has started layoffs in India at its Bengaluru operations, where approximately 1,000 jobs could be at stake as part of its global employee restructuring.

The first phase of layoffs started on November 9 and reportedly impacted senior engineers and more experienced employees, The Financial Express reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The cuts are expected to extend to Qualcomm’s engineering and research facilities in Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and Chennai. But it has not officially announced how many India-based employees will be impacted.

Industry estimates suggest around 1,000 or more jobs could be eliminated in India, although sources cited by Investing.com said the actual figure could be considerably lower.

According to reports, employees affected by the restructuring were offered three months’ salary in severance, based on tenure. Those who signed exit papers within three days were reportedly offered an additional month’s salary. Qualcomm has not announced either of these offerings.

The layoffs come after an internal October memo from chief executive Cristiano Amon detailing a global “performance-focused reduction”, Reuters reported.

It comes as Qualcomm faces challenges in its smartphone chip division, with handset sales down 26% in its most recent quarterly results.