Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest maker of smartphones, televisions and memory chips, will cut its global workforce by 30% in some divisions, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The South Korea-based company has directed its subsidiaries around the world to cut sales and marketing staff by about 15% and administrative staff by up to 30%, two of the three sources said.
The plan will be implemented by the end of this year and will affect jobs in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, a source said. Samsung’s planned global job cuts were confirmed by six other people familiar with the matter.
It is not clear how many people will be laid off or which countries and business units will be most affected.
The sources declined to be named because the extent and details of the job cuts remain secret.
Samsung said in a statement that the adjustments made to the number of employees in some operations globally are normal adjustments and aim to improve efficiency.
She said there were no specific targets for the plans, adding that the plans would not affect workers in the production sector.
