Chingari, a popular short-video social media platform, announced on Tuesday that it has dismissed approximately 60 employees as part of a broader restructuring initiative.
While the company claimed that the layoffs account for 20 percent of its workforce, sources indicate that the actual percentage of employees let go may be around 25 percent.
A spokesperson for Chingari expressed regret over the decision, stating, “We deeply regret the need for these reductions of 20 percent as part of Chingari’s organisational restructuring. This was a challenging decision for our management, and we recognize the profound impact on our employees. We are grateful for their contributions and dedication to Chingari.” The news adds to the ongoing challenges facing startup employees, amid an increasing trend of layoffs in the sector.
Recent examples include the edtech firm Byju’s and health startup Mojocare, which laid off approximately 1,000 and 170 employees, respectively.
Following the layoffs at Chingari, a social media account named Gas Lighter surfaced, claiming that the firm had actually terminated 60 percent of its workforce. The account alleged that the company’s actions included deactivating Slack accounts of various employees to pressure them into resigning.
In response to the layoffs, Chingari’s spokesperson confirmed that the company is providing affected employees with a severance package that includes two months’ salary and an additional three months of health insurance coverage to support their transition.
“Furthermore, we are committed to assisting our impacted employees by offering comprehensive support, such as career counseling and job placement help. Our focus remains on streamlining operations, enhancing productivity, and aligning resources with our long-term growth objectives,” the spokesperson added.
