From the company perspective
Step 1 -advise managers to focus on documenting tasks contractors are performing and perform knowledge transfer of knowledge existing only with contractors.
Step 2 - cut pay 20% hoping some will quit on their own (4 day work week)
Step 3 - cut pay another 10% hoping more will quit on their own
Step 4 - terminate those who remain.
From contractor perspective, yes it is abusive.
Note that they will do the same to employees.
Step 1 - Ask targeted employees to leave voluntarily
Step 2 - Change employees roles hoping they will leave voluntarily
Step 3 - Terminate contractors
Step 4 - Terminate employees.
There is always some greater fool willing to step up on the employment merry go round, so this will repeat in perpetuity. Eliminate highly skilled, highly compensated employees- replace with nubes
The only way to win is to choose not to play the game.