Germany’s Bayer has confirmed that it intends to cut 950 jobs at its Berlin site, as part of a plan to save 700 million euros a year, starting in 2009.
The announcement follows recent rumours in the media which suggested that up to 1,300 jobs may be lost at the Berlin site, which was previously run by Schering AG, which was recently acquired by the Leverkusen-based firm.
Bayer noted that of the workforce in Berlin, 350 have already accepted offers including early retirement and 250 will be found roles elsewhere within the company. However, the company noted that it will strengthen its R&D operations at the site and the confirmed staff reductions will include research, marketing, accounting and administrative positions.
The announcement comes as no surprise as when the company’s acquisition of Schering was first announced last March, the firms said that job losses could reach a level of 6,000 over the next few years, roughly 10% of the combined workforce. Bayer is not the only group that sees job cuts as a necessary way to improve productivity and Pfizer, AstraZeneca and more recently Abbott Laboratories have all announced plans for major staff reductions.
