Nokia announced late yesterday that as part of further cost-cutting plans, some 1,700 employees globally would be made redundant in the company’s devices and markets units, its corporate development office and global support functions.
“Nokia plans to scale sales, marketing and technology management to match the pruned portfolio and global consumer demand; address the marketing and other activities that will no longer be integral following the Symbian acquisition; streamline the Devices R&D organisation; and increase efficiency in certain global support functions,” the Finland-based firm said in an official statement.
The company said that where applicable Nokia would begin talks with employee representatives about the planned job cuts.
This announcement comes in the wake of the firm’s decision in January to cut costs in its handset unit by over €700m in order to compete in a market where its fourth-quarter sales had dropped by 15pc.
Before this announcement, the initial cost-cutting plans had involved freezing salaries and offering severance packages to some employees.
By Marie Boran
Pictured: the Nokia Xpress Music 5330 mobile phone
