IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – Walt Disney Co announced it would lay off 32,000 workers, primarily those employed in its theme parks. The decision was made amid financial struggles as the coronavirus pandemic drastically reduces visitors.
The number of workers to be dismissed is higher than what Disney initially planned. In September, the company announced it would cut 28,000 jobs.
“The layoffs will be in the first half of 2021,” the company said when filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Reuters reported on November 26.
Disney did not respond to Reuters request for comment on whether the 28,000 layoffs announced before would be included in the latest figure. However, a company spokesperson confirmed to Variety that the figure includes the previously announced number.
Disney’s theme park business has been suffering greatly from the pandemic, as they are forced to limit visitors or even close.
Disneyland Paris was forced to close again in late October after France imposed a new lockdown to fight a second wave Covid-19 transmission.
The company’s theme parks in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo remain open.
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REUTERS
