Over 121,000 Filipino workers have either lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts or reduced work loads because of the economic crisis, a government official said Sunday.
Between October last year and mid-March, 11,574 permanently lost their jobs and 38,806 others were temporarily laid off by Philippines-based companies, Labour Undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz told an economic forum in this industrial enclave north of Manila.
A total of 59,149 others were placed on flexible work arrangements, she added.
Meanwhile, 12,000 out of the 8.5 million-strong Filipino work force abroad had lost their jobs, mostly in Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Baldoz.
Last week the government said electronics firms based in the Philippines began giving their remaining workers half-pay or 150 pesos (3.11 dollars) a day in a bid to keep them employed until demand picks up again.
The labour undersecretary said the electronics sector was the worst hit with almost half the total work force affected.
The crisis has also hit about 10 per cent of employees in the automotive, garments, mining, property, services, and woodworking industries, she added.
She went on to say the government expects the crisis to bottom out over the next few months as just 397 workers a day were losing their jobs in mid-March compared to 437 at the start of the month.
"Before the first semester ends, we could say that the worst is over," she said.
"In the next five months, workers' displacements will continue but we expect it to be on a slower pace and only in the export manufacturing sector."
Agencies
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Is Infosys eyeing acquisitions in the US?
Indian software major Infosys Technologies Ltd expects to find acquisition opportunities in the US during the downturn, co-chairman Nandan Nilekani was quoted as saying.
"Acquisitions will definitely be very accessible in this market from a price point of view," Nilekani told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. "If it makes sense, we'll do it."
Companies that operate in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors might make particularly interesting targets, he said, adding that Infosys has $2 billion in cash and no debt.
In the interview, Nilekani reiterated Infosys's earlier guidance of about 12 per cent revenue growth for the fiscal year ending March 31. That would be a sharp deceleration from growth of 35 per cent, as measured by the US accounting rules, in the year ended March 31, 2008.
Nilekani told the Journal that potential customers are holding back both because of the economic crisis and a rise in protectionist sentiment.
On the economic crisis, Nilekani said "I've never seen this level of lack of clarity." He said executives are "more focused on short-term tactical issues" than making bigger decisions about outsourcing.
In response, Nilekani said Infosys is working with customers on alternative payment arrangements, including some that would link fees to business results. Other customers are asking to pay on a per-transaction basis, rather than a lump sum for a system.
Nilekani said rising protectionist sentiment in the US also is affecting customers' decision-making about outsourcing.
The economic stimulus bill, for example, includes a provision preventing participants in the US' financial bailout programme from hiring workers with H-1B visas, which are commonly used by the non-US outsourcing companies.
"Political issues have become more pre-eminent in our conversations," he added.
Partly for that reason, he told the journal that he does not know whether more the US firms will lay off domestic workers and move more jobs to India, as International Business Machines Corp plans to do, Nilekani said.
Agencies
"Acquisitions will definitely be very accessible in this market from a price point of view," Nilekani told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. "If it makes sense, we'll do it."
Companies that operate in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors might make particularly interesting targets, he said, adding that Infosys has $2 billion in cash and no debt.
In the interview, Nilekani reiterated Infosys's earlier guidance of about 12 per cent revenue growth for the fiscal year ending March 31. That would be a sharp deceleration from growth of 35 per cent, as measured by the US accounting rules, in the year ended March 31, 2008.
Nilekani told the Journal that potential customers are holding back both because of the economic crisis and a rise in protectionist sentiment.
On the economic crisis, Nilekani said "I've never seen this level of lack of clarity." He said executives are "more focused on short-term tactical issues" than making bigger decisions about outsourcing.
In response, Nilekani said Infosys is working with customers on alternative payment arrangements, including some that would link fees to business results. Other customers are asking to pay on a per-transaction basis, rather than a lump sum for a system.
Nilekani said rising protectionist sentiment in the US also is affecting customers' decision-making about outsourcing.
The economic stimulus bill, for example, includes a provision preventing participants in the US' financial bailout programme from hiring workers with H-1B visas, which are commonly used by the non-US outsourcing companies.
"Political issues have become more pre-eminent in our conversations," he added.
Partly for that reason, he told the journal that he does not know whether more the US firms will lay off domestic workers and move more jobs to India, as International Business Machines Corp plans to do, Nilekani said.
Agencies
Agilent to layoff 2,700
Agilent Technologies Inc said it will lay off 2,700 workers and halt share buybacks as the scientific-instrument maker struggles with a huge drop in demand.
The company expects revenue in its electronic-measurement segment to drop 30 per cent in fiscal 2009 -- the lowest level in its 10-year history.
Revenue in its chip and board test segment is expected to fall 50 per cent from the 2008 level, and 65 per cent from its peak volume.
Agilent is cutting annual costs by $300 million in its electronic-measurement segment and by $10 million in its chip and board test segment.
The company will also suspend share buybacks for the rest of its fiscal year, which ends in October.
The 2,700 layoffs bring the number of employees who have been laid off since December 2008 to 3,800, spokeswoman Amy Flores said, marking a 20 per cent cut in workers since the end of last year.
The moves entail cash costs of about $160 million. “Business remains severely depressed, and there are no prospects for a meaningful recovery in the foreseeable future,'' Chief Executive Bill Sullivan, said in a statement released by the company.
Agencies
The company expects revenue in its electronic-measurement segment to drop 30 per cent in fiscal 2009 -- the lowest level in its 10-year history.
Revenue in its chip and board test segment is expected to fall 50 per cent from the 2008 level, and 65 per cent from its peak volume.
Agilent is cutting annual costs by $300 million in its electronic-measurement segment and by $10 million in its chip and board test segment.
The company will also suspend share buybacks for the rest of its fiscal year, which ends in October.
The 2,700 layoffs bring the number of employees who have been laid off since December 2008 to 3,800, spokeswoman Amy Flores said, marking a 20 per cent cut in workers since the end of last year.
The moves entail cash costs of about $160 million. “Business remains severely depressed, and there are no prospects for a meaningful recovery in the foreseeable future,'' Chief Executive Bill Sullivan, said in a statement released by the company.
Agencies
Toshiba to take over 100 percent of Panasonic LCD JV
Japan's Toshiba Corp plans to take a 100 per cent stake in its struggling liquid crystal display (LCD) joint venture with Panasonic Corp, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology, currently owned 60 per cent by Toshiba and 40 per cent by Panasonic, is the world's second-largest maker of small and midsized LCD panels used in cell phones, car navigation systems and other devices.
Toshiba has decided to buy Panasonic's 40 per cent stake for several billion yen, the source said, confirming an earlier report in the Nikkei business daily.
No one at Toshiba or Panasonic, formerly named Matsushita Electric Industrial, was immediately available for comment.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public.
Hit by falling prices and sluggish demand, Toshiba Matsushita Display is expected to post an operating loss of 30 billion yen on sales of 270 billion yen for the financial year ending this month.
Despite the earnings downturn, Toshiba still views the small and midsize display business as an important business and taking a 100 per cent stake will allow it to accelerate decision-making and restructuring, the source said.
Toshiba is planning to cut costs by 300 billion yen in the next business year from April as it braces for its worst-ever annual loss in the year ending this month.
At the same time the deal should allow Panasonic, the world's top maker of plasma TVs, to focus more of its resources on large displays, though it will still hold 25 per cent in another small and midsized LCD venture majority-owned by Hitachi Ltd.
Toshiba Matsushita Display held 10.3 per cent of the global market for small and midsize LCDs in 2008, second only to Sharp Corp's 20.2 per cent share, the Nikkei said, citing figures from research firm DisplaySearch.
The move will mark the latest realignment of the LCD sector.
Earlier this month NEC Corp said it would close a LCD plant in Japan while Sony Corp and Seiko Epson Corp announced that they were considering an alliance in small-sized LCDs.
After making the venture wholly-owned, Toshiba plans to scale back production of amorphous silicon panels, which have been hit hard by sliding prices, and focus on higher-end polycrystalline silicon panels, the Nikkei said.
Agencies
Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology, currently owned 60 per cent by Toshiba and 40 per cent by Panasonic, is the world's second-largest maker of small and midsized LCD panels used in cell phones, car navigation systems and other devices.
Toshiba has decided to buy Panasonic's 40 per cent stake for several billion yen, the source said, confirming an earlier report in the Nikkei business daily.
No one at Toshiba or Panasonic, formerly named Matsushita Electric Industrial, was immediately available for comment.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not yet been made public.
Hit by falling prices and sluggish demand, Toshiba Matsushita Display is expected to post an operating loss of 30 billion yen on sales of 270 billion yen for the financial year ending this month.
Despite the earnings downturn, Toshiba still views the small and midsize display business as an important business and taking a 100 per cent stake will allow it to accelerate decision-making and restructuring, the source said.
Toshiba is planning to cut costs by 300 billion yen in the next business year from April as it braces for its worst-ever annual loss in the year ending this month.
At the same time the deal should allow Panasonic, the world's top maker of plasma TVs, to focus more of its resources on large displays, though it will still hold 25 per cent in another small and midsized LCD venture majority-owned by Hitachi Ltd.
Toshiba Matsushita Display held 10.3 per cent of the global market for small and midsize LCDs in 2008, second only to Sharp Corp's 20.2 per cent share, the Nikkei said, citing figures from research firm DisplaySearch.
The move will mark the latest realignment of the LCD sector.
Earlier this month NEC Corp said it would close a LCD plant in Japan while Sony Corp and Seiko Epson Corp announced that they were considering an alliance in small-sized LCDs.
After making the venture wholly-owned, Toshiba plans to scale back production of amorphous silicon panels, which have been hit hard by sliding prices, and focus on higher-end polycrystalline silicon panels, the Nikkei said.
Agencies
Friday, March 27, 2009
Has Spice Corp pulled out of Satyam bid?
Noida based BK Modi promoted Spice Corp has pulled out of the bid process for Satyam 'at least for the moment'. The company cites non-transparency as the reason for pulling out. "We are pulling out of the Satyam bid at least for the moment.
We have sent a letter to the Satyam board and former Chief Justice SP Bharucha, who is supervising the bid process. The bid process should have been in line with the order of the Company Law Board," said a company top executive overlooking the bid.
The company was reportedly unhappy over Satyam board not disclosing the names of other shortlisted bidders and making the auction 'open'. It was also not happy with the fact that the second round includes another ‘closed’ technical evaluation' post the one which has already happened post EoI submission.
"As it is only a few bidders are left, what constrains the company from not making the auction process public for the benefit of all shareholders?," the executive added. The company spokesperson however added that Spice might relook at their decision if Satyam makes the bid process 'open and transparent' as advised by CLB.
April 9 is the last date for submission of financial bids for shortlisted players. Spice, L&T and Tech Mahindra are amongst a few bidders shortlisted to participate in the second round.
Economictimes
We have sent a letter to the Satyam board and former Chief Justice SP Bharucha, who is supervising the bid process. The bid process should have been in line with the order of the Company Law Board," said a company top executive overlooking the bid.
The company was reportedly unhappy over Satyam board not disclosing the names of other shortlisted bidders and making the auction 'open'. It was also not happy with the fact that the second round includes another ‘closed’ technical evaluation' post the one which has already happened post EoI submission.
"As it is only a few bidders are left, what constrains the company from not making the auction process public for the benefit of all shareholders?," the executive added. The company spokesperson however added that Spice might relook at their decision if Satyam makes the bid process 'open and transparent' as advised by CLB.
April 9 is the last date for submission of financial bids for shortlisted players. Spice, L&T and Tech Mahindra are amongst a few bidders shortlisted to participate in the second round.
Economictimes
GobalLogic expands Bangalore centre
GlobalLogic Inc, the leader in global product development services, has expanded its newest centre in Bangalore.
LumenData, an innovative product company specializing in data management, has partnered with GlobalLogic for product development and implementation.
"We feel privileged that LumenData has chosen GlobalLogic as its partner to expand its presence in Bangalore," said Peter Harrison, CEO of GlobalLogic.
"GlobalLogic seeks only highly skilled engineers with several years of experience to join its global team. The centre in Bangalore is critical to our recruitment efforts in India. It's an important technology hub that gives us access to a pool of highly talented engineers," he said in a statement here today.
GlobalLogic has engineering centres in Eastern Europe, Israel, China and the US.
It helps software product companies innovate. In contrast to many firms that focus on IT services, GlobalLogic specializes in product R&D for emerging and established companies.
Agencies
LumenData, an innovative product company specializing in data management, has partnered with GlobalLogic for product development and implementation.
"We feel privileged that LumenData has chosen GlobalLogic as its partner to expand its presence in Bangalore," said Peter Harrison, CEO of GlobalLogic.
"GlobalLogic seeks only highly skilled engineers with several years of experience to join its global team. The centre in Bangalore is critical to our recruitment efforts in India. It's an important technology hub that gives us access to a pool of highly talented engineers," he said in a statement here today.
GlobalLogic has engineering centres in Eastern Europe, Israel, China and the US.
It helps software product companies innovate. In contrast to many firms that focus on IT services, GlobalLogic specializes in product R&D for emerging and established companies.
Agencies
IBM-Sun talks on merger to extend beyond a few weeks
IBM's talks to acquire Sun Microsystems Inc are continuing and may extend beyond next week, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.
IBM is still examining Sun's business as part of its due diligence process, said the source, who was not authorized to speak about the talks and therefore requested anonymity.
Neither IBM nor Sun has issued any statement to say they are in talks, although sources said last week that the two sides are negotiating a merger that would bolster IBM's high-end server and software business.
The Wall Street Journal reported on March 18 that IBM could pay as much as $8 billion for Sun, amounting to a 100 percent premium for the high-end server computer maker. If a deal is sealed, it would be IBM's largest acquisition.
The source said on Thursday that IBM's due diligence process, or examination of Sun's business, was necessary considering Sun's size and complexity.
An IBM spokesman declined to comment, and Sun was not immediately available.
Some analysts have said Sun would bolster IBM's position against rivals like Hewlett-Packard Co and Cisco Systems Inc, both of which have been acquiring smaller, niche technology firms to broaden their product and service offerings.
Agencies
IBM is still examining Sun's business as part of its due diligence process, said the source, who was not authorized to speak about the talks and therefore requested anonymity.
Neither IBM nor Sun has issued any statement to say they are in talks, although sources said last week that the two sides are negotiating a merger that would bolster IBM's high-end server and software business.
The Wall Street Journal reported on March 18 that IBM could pay as much as $8 billion for Sun, amounting to a 100 percent premium for the high-end server computer maker. If a deal is sealed, it would be IBM's largest acquisition.
The source said on Thursday that IBM's due diligence process, or examination of Sun's business, was necessary considering Sun's size and complexity.
An IBM spokesman declined to comment, and Sun was not immediately available.
Some analysts have said Sun would bolster IBM's position against rivals like Hewlett-Packard Co and Cisco Systems Inc, both of which have been acquiring smaller, niche technology firms to broaden their product and service offerings.
Agencies
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)