Intel lays off 500 employees: ‘We are making these decisions based on …’

Semiconductor giant Intel is planning to layoff around 529 employees across its Oregon facilities in Hillsboro and Aloha. This latest round of job cuts is said to be one of the biggest in the state this year. As reported by OPB, the layoffs will begin on July 15 and are said to be part of company’s restructuring plan under CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Intel is one of the largest private employer in Oregon as the company employees nearly 20,000 workers. This fresh round of layoffs will affect the engineering, technical and administration departments.

Intel layoffs: What the company said

The layoffs are a stark indicator of Intel's ongoing efforts to become "a leaner, faster and more efficient company," as stated by the company. In an email to OPB an Intel spokesperson confirmed that the latest round of layoffs are the efforts to make the company more efficient.“We are making these decisions based on careful consideration of what’s needed to position our business for the future, and we will treat people with care and respect as we complete this important work,” said the company in an email sent to OPB.The report further adds that the affected employees will be soon given a notice. The workers will be given a period of four weeks and they will get the salaries and other benefits for nine more weeks.

Intel to layoff 15% to 20% factory workers

In related news, Intel is preparing to lay off between 15% and 20% of its

Intel Foundry workforce

beginning in July, marking one of the largest job cuts in the semiconductor giant's history. The layoffs are expected to affect more than 10,000 employees worldwide, representing roughly one-fifth of the company's manufacturing division. Unlike previous rounds of job cuts, Intel will not offer voluntary buyouts or early retirement packages, instead selecting workers based on performance evaluations and strategic investment priorities across its global manufacturing operations."These are difficult actions but essential to meet our affordability challenges and current financial position of the company. It drives pain to every individual," Intel Manufacturing Vice President Naga Chandrasekaran wrote in an internal memo to employees over the weekend, as seen by The Oregonian.The cuts will impact Intel's foundry division across 15 wafer fabrication plants at 10 locations globally, affecting roles ranging from factory floor technicians to researchers developing next-generation microprocessors.