In response to protests over its involvement in supplying technology to the Israeli government during the Gaza war, Google has continued its firing spree by terminating at least 20 more workers. The total number of employees let go has now exceeded 50, according to a group representing the workers. The protests were centered around a $1.2 billion contract known as “Project Nimbus,” which involved Google and Amazon providing cloud computing and AI services to the Israeli government. Last week, workers staged sit-in protests at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, leading to arrests by the police called in by the company.
The group behind the protests, No Tech For Apartheid, stated that Google dismissed 30 workers last week, a number that surpassed the initially reported 28 terminations. On Tuesday night, Google fired an additional “over 20” employees, including those who were bystanders during the protests, as confirmed by Jane Chung, a spokesperson for No Tech For Apartheid. Chung criticized Google for its actions, accusing the company of attempting to silence dissent and regain control over its employees, all while disregarding due process and abruptly ending the livelihoods of over 50 workers.
Google justified the firing of the additional workers by citing an investigation that revealed details of physical disruptions caused by some employees during the protests. The company also identified individuals who tried to conceal their identities by wearing masks and not carrying their staff badges. While Google did not specify the exact number of employees terminated, it claimed that all those let go were definitively involved in disruptive activities within its buildings. CEO Sundar Pichai had previously hinted at more terminations in a blog post, emphasizing the company’s commitment to enhancing its AI technology and placing employees on a short leash.
The internal turmoil at Google continues to escalate, with employees expressing concerns over the company’s involvement in providing technology to the Israeli government amidst the Gaza conflict. The firing of more than 50 workers has sparked outrage among advocacy groups and labor organizations, who are calling out Google for its handling of dissent and the abrupt termination of employees without proper due process. The protests and subsequent dismissals shed light on the growing tensions within the tech giant, as employees push back against corporate decisions and demand accountability and transparency from their employer.
The aftermath of the protests at Google offices highlights the challenges faced by tech companies in navigating ethical dilemmas and geopolitical controversies. The decision to provide technology services to governments involved in conflicts is increasingly a point of contention for employees, who are demanding more accountability and ethical standards from their employers. As Google grapples with internal dissent and public scrutiny, the company faces growing pressure to reassess its partnerships and commitments in line with its employees’ values and societal expectations. The ongoing turmoil at Google serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play within tech companies and the importance of addressing employee concerns and upholding ethical standards in the face of global crises.
