Baidu-Geely JV reportedly discloses layoff package after clashes with employees

Baidu and Geely’s joint Jiyue brand launched its second model, the 07 sedan, at a price range between RMB 199,900 and RMB 219,900 ($28,166-$30,984) on Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Credit: Jiyue

The employees of Chinese electric vehicle maker Jiyue who are being laid off are expected to be paid salaries by Friday with compliant severance pay through December, the latest development in a series of chaotic events gripping the joint venture between Baidu and Geely. In meetings with the management and human resources representatives on Thursday, Jiyue chief operating officer Luo Gang gave employees affected by the job cuts more details about the exit process, according to multiple local media reports. The company has now said it will offer “N+1” times average monthly salary, which refers to the severance pay plus one month’s salary, as companies in China are obliged to do by law. On Dec. 11, the firm announced a plan to cut the majority of its workforce and videos went viral the next day showing chief executive Xia Yiping surrounded by dozens of people demanding payment, including some wearing employee lanyards, Reuters reported. [TechNode reporting, Caixin, in Chinese]