Chinese surveillance camera maker Hikvision is reportedly planning to reduce its workforce, particularly within its research and development (R&D) department. Facing economic pressures and U.S. sanctions, the company is expected to cut over 1,000 jobs in China, though it denies any large-scale layoffs.
Hikvision has described these actions as internal adjustments aimed at optimizing its R&D operations. Several reports from Chinese media indicate that the company has already begun altering job roles in key regions. Hikvision, which had 58,544 employees as of last year, insists that the changes are not part of a mass layoff, a term often avoided by using “optimization” to sidestep regulatory scrutiny. In China, large-scale layoffs are subject to strict regulation.
The job cuts come at a challenging time for Hikvision as it deals with U.S. sanctions and a slowing Chinese economy. The company has been heavily restricted in the U.S. market due to accusations of involvement in human rights violations. Since 2019, Hikvision has been barred from purchasing U.S. components without government approval. Additionally, in 2022, the U.S. imposed further bans on Hikvision’s products, citing national security concerns. Despite these hurdles, Hikvision continues to oppose the sanctions imposed by the U.S. government.
