Of the approximately 2,200 employees, at least 400 are expected to leave the Austrian crystal manufacturer at the beginning of 2026, the Tyrol Chamber of Labor (AKT) announced on Thursday. The number could increase to 500 “if the majority of the remaining workforce does not agree to a reduction in working hours as sought by the company management,” according to the employee advocacy group.
“This is a declaration of bankruptcy for the strategy of the group management and for the Wattens location,” said AK President Erwin Zangerl. “It turns out that the commitments made by the company management to the location were, as feared, just lip service; the future of Swarovski in Wattens is uncertain.”
According to AKT, Swarovski is said to have laid off around 600 people between January 2023 and October 2025 and has cut more than 5,000 jobs since 2007.
In addition to the personnel savings, “the majority of night shifts” will also be eliminated, according to the announcement. The Glashütte location is an exception. In addition, the company’s own company transport that takes employees to and from the workplace will also be canceled.