HP Israel fires 30 workers
American information technology giant's local office informs employees of new round of layoffs. Some 29,000 of company's workers worldwide expected to be dismissed as part of move
Some 30 workers of the 1,200 employed in the Israel office were informed of their dismissal on Sunday. According to different sources, the current wave of layoffs will include the discharge of dozens of employees over a long period of time.
The entire move began in May 2012, when HP said it would last a long time and be completed in October 2014. The company noted that in addition to the layoffs, some workers would be put on early retirement. Sources in the industry say that the move is still ongoing and that the number of jobs the company plans to cut may still change.
'Israel branch an asset'
The company said last month that the cutbacks may grow by 15% in accordance with the plan's goal: An accumulated cut of $3 billion in manpower expenses.
HP CEO Meg Whitman had said in the past that the process was aimed at simplifying the company's organizational structure, which she found to be too complicated.
As part of the wave of layoffs, 9,000 workers will be fired in the United States and thousands more in India. The company currently employs some 330,000 workers worldwide.
Despite the wide-scale move around the world, HP's plan to fire workers at its development center in Yehud – which is based on the acquisition of Mercury – is surprising, as the center is at the forefront of the company's software activity, which is the company's flagship activity these days.
HP offered the following statement in response: "In May 2012, global HP announced its plan to increase efficiency and improve processes. This plan included the company's activity in Israel as well. The company has stated that it views its activity in Israel as an important asset."
