Oracle has laid off about 10% of its Indian workforce, leaving dozens of professionals without jobs overnight. While the company has officially cited restructuring as the reason, analysts suggest the cuts align with U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed push for domestic hiring and reduced reliance on offshore workers and H-1B visas.
Global Restructuring Underway
Reports indicate Oracle’s Indian operations are among the hardest hit, with layoffs also impacting Canada and Mexico. In the U.S., more than 150 jobs have been cut in the Seattle area, though the company insists it is still hiring for select roles. Sources say further workforce reductions may follow globally, with undisclosed meetings scheduled for employees across regions.
Political and Business Context
The layoffs came shortly after Oracle CEO Larry Wilson met Trump at the Oval Office, where discussions reportedly included domestic hiring and national data security. Days later, Oracle announced a landmark deal with OpenAI, under which massive volumes of AI workloads will be processed on Oracle’s cloud infrastructure. Meanwhile, the company is expanding hiring at its Virginia offices, raising questions about its shifting priorities.
Impact on India
India, which employs over 28,824 Oracle staff across software development, cloud services, and technical support, faces a significant hit. Given the country’s role as a critical hub for Oracle’s operations, the layoffs are expected to disrupt local talent pools and intensify competition for jobs in the IT sector.
Broader Tech Layoff Trend
Oracle’s move reflects a larger trend in the tech industry. Microsoft has cut around 15,000 jobs this year, while Amazon and Meta have also trimmed staff to offset the surging costs of AI infrastructure, particularly data centre capacity and computing power.
Cloud Growth and AI Push
Despite the layoffs, Oracle’s stock remains strong, driven by rapid cloud growth. Its recent $500 billion “Stargate” partnership with OpenAI and SoftBank underscores the company’s bet on AI-driven infrastructure, even as it reallocates resources away from traditional roles worldwide.
