NOAA layoffs drive concern amid Trump's civil service cuts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), responsible for weather forecasting, plans another round of mass layoffs, this time affecting 1,029 employees. This aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to reduce the number of staff in the U.S. civil service.
Reuters, citing its sources, notes on Sunday that the latest cuts in the government agency, which also conducts climate research and performs other scientific tasks, follow the previous dismissal of 1,300 people.
Two rounds of layoffs and the buyout program, which offers less essential employees a financial incentive, usually up to $25,000, in exchange for voluntarily leaving their positions, have reduced NOAA's personnel by about 20 percent since the beginning of the year.
The buyout program helps government agencies reduce the extent of forced layoffs, which can be costly and burdensome.
All U.S. government agencies were ordered to develop layoff plans by March 13 as part of Trump's campaign aiming to overhaul the government. Experts warn that layoffs at NOAA will curtail key climate research and endanger American lives.
Americans oppose forced layoffs
The layoff plans in other agencies, such as the politically sensitive Department of Veterans Affairs, have also raised alarms. It plans to reduce its workforce by over 80,000.
Federal employees also face severe budget restrictions, including a ban on purchasing basic office supplies.
A Reuters and Ipsos poll from last week also illustrates public dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's plans. Fifty-seven percent of respondents stated they oppose the plan to lay off tens of thousands of federal employees.
