Trump's sweeping staff cuts jeopardize vital climate research
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), responsible for weather forecasting, is planning another round of mass layoffs, this time affecting 1,029 employees. This is in line with President Donald Trump's plan to reduce the number of staff in the U.S. civil service.
Reuters, citing its sources, reported on Sunday that further cuts in the government agency, which also conducts climate research and other scientific tasks, follow the previous dismissal of 1,300 people.
Two rounds of layoffs and the so-called buyout programme, which offers less essential employees a financial incentive, usually up to €23,800, in exchange for voluntarily leaving their positions, will have reduced NOAA's staff by about 20 percent since the beginning of the year.
The buyout programme helps government agencies reduce the extent of mandatory redundancies, which can be costly and burdensome.
All U.S. government agencies were instructed to develop layoff plans by March 13th as part of Trump's campaign to thoroughly restructure the government. Experts warn that redundancies at NOAA will shrink key climate research and endanger Americans' lives.
Americans oppose forced redundancies
Plans for layoffs in other agencies, such as the politically sensitive Department of Veterans Affairs, have also caused concern. It plans to reduce its workforce by over 80,000.
Federal employees also face severe spending restrictions, including a ban on purchasing basic office supplies.
A Reuters and Ipsos poll from last week illustrates public dissatisfaction with Trump's administration's plans. Fifty-seven percent of respondents stated they oppose the idea of laying off tens of thousands of federal employees.
