Samsung says planning job cuts in some Asian operations

Samsung Electronics said it was planning to cut jobs in some of its Asian operations.

Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it was planning to cut jobs in some of its Asian operations, after a report that one in ten posts in affected markets could be axed.

The world's largest memory chipmaker is modifying staffing levels in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, a company spokesman told AFP, adding that "the adjustments include job cuts".

The "routine workforce adjustments" are carried out "to improve operational efficiency," said Samsung Electronics in a statement.

"The company has not set a target number for any particular positions," added the maker of Galaxy smartphones.

Bloomberg reported that the layoffs could affect about 10% of the workforce in those markets.

The Suwon-based firm employs more than 267,800 workers, with more than half of its total workforce abroad.

The cuts came after US chipmaker Intel announced in August that it would slash more than 15% of its workforce as it tries to streamline operations following a reported loss of $1.6 billion in the second quarter.