Following Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in October 2022, Twitter implemented widespread layoffs that affected a significant number of employees. In early November, Twitter terminated almost all of its staff in Ghana, its only African location, just days after the physical office had finally opened following a year of remote work, according to CNN’s previous report.
Amidst the economic turmoil in Ghana, the affected employees were left in a state of uncertainty as they received no information about their exit packages or future steps, as reported by the outlet.
A recent CNN report reveals that in late May, the laid-off Ghanaian workers were eventually offered a severance package that included three months of pay, repatriation expenses for foreign staff, and legal fees incurred during negotiations with Twitter. While staff in other countries received more comprehensive severance packages with additional benefits, the Ghanaian employees, burdened by the economic hardships, reluctantly accepted the offered settlement.
“Twitter remained unresponsive until we agreed to the three-month package because we were all so stressed, exhausted, and impacted by the economic turmoil. Reluctant to pursue legal action and face further financial difficulties, we felt compelled to settle,” one laid-off employee told CNN.
However, communication with the company abruptly stopped, leaving the laid-off Ghanaian staff still awaiting their promised severance pay, as revealed in interviews conducted by CNN.
“They literally ghosted us,” one of the laid-off employees expressed to CNN, highlighting the frustration and financial strain they are experiencing.
At the time of Insider’s request for comment, Twitter had not responded beyond an automated email response.
Since Elon Musk assumed control of Twitter, significant changes have been implemented, including the reversal of certain account bans, the introduction of charges for blue verification checks, and the launch of a subscription service. Internally, the company underwent substantial restructuring.
In addition to the layoffs, which affected the majority of Twitter’s workforce, the economic turmoil in Ghana has further intensified the challenges faced by the employees. With halted invoice payments and the sale of office furniture, the impact of the layoffs on the company’s operations and the affected staff’s livelihoods has been significant.
As of early May, Insider’s sources revealed that Twitter had only slightly over 1,000 employees, excluding contract workers, compared to the approximately 7,500 prior to the acquisition. This stark reduction in workforce underlines the magnitude of the layoffs and the ongoing economic difficulties faced by the company and its former employees in Ghana.
Source: CNN