Meta’s Singapore Workforce Hit by Global Layoffs
It felt like a Monday morning buzzkill for many in Singapore when Meta’s sweeping job cuts landed right beneath its Marina Bay headquarters. A blend of emails, LinkedIn posts, and a dash of workplace drama made the news stick.
Who’s in the Crosshairs?
- At least 10 employees in Singapore – counted from LinkedIn posts, as reported by The Straits Times.
- Globally over 11,000 workers – roughly 13 % of Meta’s 87,000‑strong international staff.
- In Singapore, roles span recruiters, product managers, and gamers – the company’s a boutique of every sort.
Inside the Inbox
One snag‑alert email landed in the inbox of Syahid Ismail, a Business Integrity Escalations Specialist. The post read:
I was about to head out to the office, double‑checked my email, and then…
… that dreaded email hit me. I’m one of the #MetaLayoffs victims.
And, not to forget, Alex Fenby, the Head of News Partnerships for Southeast Asia, shared that this was “a first in my career… a whole new set of emotions to work through.” He added, “I close this chapter with many lessons and friendships.”
Impact Across the Board
- Recruiting teams looking for talent now face hollowed rosters.
- Product managers juggling roadmap updates in a light‑hearted way no longer need a paid coffee break.
- Game developers in Meta’s gaming division: game‑on magnitudes decreasing.
The Big Picture & Mark Zuckerberg’s Take
On the global stage, Meta’s layoff numbers surge after years of pandemic‑era optimism. In a blog post, Mark Zuckerberg took the reins:
“We invested heavily expecting e‑commerce revenue to keep growing, but it didn’t.”
— “The macroeconomic slump, increased competition, and ad‑signal loss cut our revenue short. We now need to tighten budgets.”
With its share price sliding an eye‑popping 70 % this year, the company’s pivot to the metaverse feels more like a bet than a breath of fresh tech. The layoffs echo what Twitter and Microsoft have already done – a reminder that even giants can face a reality check.
Numbers in Context
- Meta’s Singapore head office sits squarely in Marina Bay’s financial district.
- Last known figures (2018) indicated over 1,000 employees in the city.
- Exact current workforce numbers remain unreported – the latest leader’s statements are packed with apology, not data.
That’s the low‑down: Meta’s global layoffs are casting a long shadow over Singapore’s tech scene. The city’s workforce is feeling the tremors, but whether the shake‑up will spark new growth or just create lots of “what‑ifs,” remains to be seen.
