It was first reported late last year that Samsung was thinking about downsizing its workforce to cut down on costs. It was offering “average workers with mediocre performance” to take a sizable compensation in return for leaving the company. Data compiled by the Financial Supervisory Service reveals that four Samsung Group companies have cut over 8,000 jobs combined over the past year as the conglomerate deals with economic uncertainties. Samsung has been working hard over the past year to restructure the complex conglomerate so that it can focus more on core businesses.
The data shows that the total number of employees working at Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Samsung SDI in the July-September period was at 139,323 registering a 5.5 percent decline or about 8,117 jobs. Samsung Electronics, the conglomerate's cash cow, cut the most number of jobs at 3,183 or 4.2 percent. Samsung Display reduced its workforce by 7.1 percent of 1,820 jobs. Samsung Electro-Mechanics and Samsung SDI both cut 1,311 and 1,803 jobs respectively. These group companies have all offered employees voluntary retirement programs in a bid to downsize and cut costs.
