(Yicai Global) Dec. 17 -- Chinese car-hailer Didi Chuxing will slash its employee bonuses this year to cope with a slowdown in earnings after safety scandals.

The firm will cut its year-end bonus to half for its staff and cancel that for managers due to this year's disappointing business performance partly caused by a huge investment in safety, state-backed The Paper reported, citing Chief Executive Cheng Wei's statement during an annual staff meeting on Dec. 14.

Chinese authorities banned all carpooling services in early September after two female passengers were killed separately during Didi rides in May and in August. This added to the Beijing-based car-sharing platform's financial distress as it has not made any profits since its establishment in 2012. 

Didi will continue to invest in safety, according to Cheng. Wang Xin, head of security affairs, has been appointed as the chief safety officer who directly reports to the CEO, according to a staff letter which was made public on Dec. 5. All departments of the firm will have their own emergency groups. 

Editor: Emmi Laine