US electronics giant Motorola today announced plans to cut 4,000 more jobs in a further step to cut costs and boost competitiveness in a depressed market.
Motorola employs 500 people in Cork, up to 450 in a computer software operation at Mahon Industrial Estate, and about 50 at a semiconductor design centre at Airport Industrial Park. The company did not specify today how many, if any, of these jobs will be cut.
Since December the company has announced its intention to reduce its global workforce of 147,000 by 22,000.
It said in a statement here the latest cuts would impose a special charge on first and second quarter earnings.
"Motorola is making tough but deliberate and strategic business decisions in order to remain competitive in the slowing economy," said Mr Edward Breen, president of Motorola's Network Sector.
"Unfortunately, reductions have been necessary for us to improve financial performance, and this is something that we will have to continually evaluate as we monitor market and economic conditions." he added.
Plans for the job cuts will be completed by the end of the second quarter, Motorola said. The timing of layoffs will depend on legal or regulatory requirements in various countries.