I think you are missing the metapoint (maybe purposefully). In the US, even very profitable companies are laying off tons of workers to boost share price and ex

I think you are missing the metapoint (maybe purposefully). In the US, even very profitable companies are laying off tons of workers to boost share price and executive compensation. The only reasons I can think of are: 1. They expect the company to be not profitable in near future and they are taking advance steps. 2. They think the workers add nothing to the top line or bottom line and cannot think of anything else that would gainfully make use of their talents. 3. They think the market would like it if they lay people off and hence it is in their selfish motive to keep laying people off. 1 requires a crystal ball and 2 is just incompetence. 3 seems the most likely answer for these layoffs. If you were running a company at a loss to pay people, you are not running a business, you are a charity. At the same time, if your profitable company wants to move the payoff from labor to shareholders in increasing percentages, your company is detrimental to the society.