Philips announced Monday that it will lay off 6,000 people by 2025, due to the damage caused by the recall of faulty ventilators for sleep apnea, which has affected the Dutch company for months.
Philips Chief Executive Roy Jakobs described the further reduction in the workforce as “difficult but necessary” in a statement.
In October, the Dutch group had already announced the dismissal of four thousand workers.
In June 2021, Philips announced a recall of millions of sleep apnea ventilators, warning that the sound-absorbing foam could break down, causing users to inhale small particles or dangerous chemicals while sleeping.
Philips initially estimated that it could repair or replace the units within a year. But with the collection reaching more than five million devices worldwide, the Dutch company admitted in October that the effort would continue through 2023.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS), a disease that can affect up to 80% of the population over 65 years of age, increases the risk of arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmias.
OSAS also carries a high risk of accidents for people who become drowsy during the day and fall asleep at the wheel.
According to the Portuguese Lung Foundation, OSAS is very common, underdiagnosed and can affect 25% of women and 50% of men.
Source: TSF
