Another Cut....

Microsoft's global job cut next year to have marginal impact in India

NEW DELHI: Microsoft's move to cut up to 18,000 jobs globally over the next year, its sharpest ever, will marginally impact India operations where the software giant has about 6,500 employees. The global job cuts come as the US software major integrates newly-acquired Nokia's handset operations while creating a leaner organisation.

"We are not in a position to disclose the exact number or other details, but we can confirm that the number is small," a Microsoft spokesperson said in response to ET's queries. "As you know Microsoft has 6,500 employees in the country. And we are committed to this market". When asked if the headcount reduction would be close to 500, an official said on the condition of anonymity that it would be far below it.

The latest job cuts across Microsoft globally, including in India to eliminate overlaps after its Nokia acquisition adds to the gloom surrounding Nokia's employees in the South Asian nation. Almost all of the 7,500 employees at Nokia's Chennai manufacturing plant have been given voluntary retirement with just a few administrative positions remaining, as the factory could not be transferred to Microsoft as part of the deal due to an ongoing tax dispute with the Indian government.