The administration of President Donald Trump has started major layoffs at Voice of America and other US-funded media, demonstrating its intention to eliminate organizations that have long been regarded as essential to US influence.
Contractual employees were notified via email that they will be let go at the end of March, just one day after all other employees were placed on leave.
Several workers corroborated the email to AFP, which instructed contractors that “you must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems.”
Though recent numbers were not immediately available, contractors account for a large portion of VOA’s workforce and control personnel in the non-English language programs.
