Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. stated it plans to rent 15,000 individuals this yr, pushing again on studies that the Chinese tech agency is shedding workers.

In an announcement launched on Weibo on Thursday, the Chinese e-commerce platform stated its “six major business divisions will need to hire 15,000 new recruits in total.” The firm stated it might recruit 3,000 college graduates. It characterised studies of layoffs as “rumours” and stated worker departures are a part of the “normal flow.”

Alibaba’s cloud division has begun a spherical of job cuts that would cut back its employees by about 7%, Bloomberg News reported earlier this week. The firm is providing severance packages or transfers to different elements of the Alibaba empire, because it prepares the fast-growing cloud unit for a derivative and eventual preliminary public providing.

The e-commerce big has stated it is pursuing a six-way cut up of its operations, because it adapts to slower development underneath intensified regulatory scrutiny within the Chinese know-how business. Alibaba Cloud, one of many greatest divisions, is becoming a member of the Cainiao logistics division and worldwide commerce in pursuing unbiased fundraising and potential listings. 

Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang outlined particulars of the historic shakeup for the primary time earlier this month. The group, which does not element staffing at separate items, employed greater than 235,000 individuals as of March.

Alibaba pointed to its recruiting system as proof that the corporate continues to be hiring. “We have never stopped recruiting and cultivating outstanding talents,” the corporate stated in its assertion. 

Alibaba shares fell about 3% in US buying and selling.