Beleaguered Finnish networks firm Nokia said on Tuesday that it had decided to reduce headcount by 148 positions in Finland following the conclusion of redundancy talks.
The company said that the payroll cuts would take place during the course of this year. It added that the reorganisation would not necessarily mean the loss of jobs for all of the people affected.
Nokia said that it would put in place a support programme to help affected employees find new positions either inside the company, elsewhere, or to set up a business.
The company said that the job cuts would affect all units in Finland, except for its 5G product development teams and the Oulu-based production facility. It added that the impact would be greatest at its Espoo headquarters.
Nokia under pressure
In mid-January, Nokia announced the start of co-determination discussions with a view to cutting about 180 positions. Those talks were part of an expansive savings programme that began in 2018. The goal was to save hundreds of millions of euros from global operations by the end of 2020.
Tuesday’s announcement follows another round of job cuts that took place last year, when 280 positions were eliminated. The company employs roughly 6,000 people in Finland.
Nokia has encountered rough waters of late, especially with respect to 5G technology development. On Monday the firm announced that chief executive Rajeev Suri would be replaced by Fortum CEO Pekka Lundmark. Suri had steered the company for more than 10 years.
Last December the company also announced a shakeup at board level when former networks boss Sari Baldauf took over as chair from Risto Siilasmaa, who served as chairman for eight years.
