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Business
May 21, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

WiseTech’s AI‑Driven Redundancies Spark China Email Controversy

AI Summary
WiseTech has begun notifying staff of AI‑related redundancies, but an email to its China team omitted the word “AI”, raising legal concerns. Around 2,000 jobs – roughly 30% of its global workforce – are at risk, prompting low morale and a strong union response.

WiseTech has started notifying staff of redundancies linked to an AI transformation, but an internal email to its China team omitted the term “AI”, replacing it with “global transformation”. Employees have been waiting nearly three months for clarity as the company prepares to cut roughly 2,000 jobs.

Redundancy Rollout Tied to AI Transformation

The logistics‑software firm announced in late February that it would eliminate almost 30% of its 7,000‑strong global workforce across 40 countries. The process began in South Korea and Mexico and is slated to start in Australia next week.

  • Announcement: late February 2026
  • Targeted cuts: ~2,000 jobs (30% of staff)
  • Countries affected: 40

Numbers Behind the Cuts

The scale of the layoff represents the single largest workforce reduction in WiseTech’s history. With a headcount of 7,000, a 30% reduction translates to 2,000 positions being eliminated.

Legal Nuances Prompting the China Email Change

Staff in the internal WiseTech Global Teams chat noted that the Chinese version of the redundancy email swapped “AI transformation” for “global transformation” and omitted the explanatory line about AI. Employees asked CEO Zubin Appoo why the wording was altered, referencing a recent Chinese court ruling that awarded a dismissed worker A$53,000 after being replaced by AI.

Appoo replied that ‘different jurisdictions have different legal and regulatory requirements’, suggesting the omission was a precautionary legal measure.

Employee Morale and Union Response

Months of uncertainty have left staff “anxious” and “sad”, with morale described as low. The union Professionals Australia received a petition signed by nearly 600 employees demanding transparent consultation and fair redundancy packages. Union membership among technical staff has risen by over 30% in eight weeks.

What Lies Ahead for WiseTech’s Workforce

With the redundancy process expanding to additional regions, employees await clearer guidance on severance, future roles, and the company’s AI strategy. The legal sensitivity demonstrated in China may shape how WiseTech communicates future workforce changes globally.