Nokia is set to reduce more jobs in Greece and Italy, following previous announcements of job cuts in Germany and France. Reports indicate an additional 300 roles are at stake in these Mediterranean countries, adding to the 700 eliminated in Germany and 427 in France. These layoffs have not gone unnoticed, sparking coordinated protests among staff.
The German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the tech site Golem covered the protests in Munich, driven by trade unions on a designated ‘European day of action’. Similar demonstrations were held in Athens and Vimercate, highlighting a collective frustration among Nokia employees. A notable protest in Greece shut down the entire Athens office, affecting about 1,000 workers.
These protests were strategic, with simultaneous gatherings over lunch in Germany, France, and Italy, promoting a unified message of solidarity among Nokia staff. The divisions targeted for cuts are primarily Nokia’s ‘enterprise campus edge’, microwave radio, and fixed-line access, all moved to its ‘portfolio businesses’ segment, suggesting a possible sale.
Adding to the tension, Nokia’s R&D office in Munich, which came into the fold through Nokia’s acquisition of Infinera, is also facing closure. This action jeopardizes an additional 70 jobs, raising the total anticipated job losses in Munich to 770. Daniele Frijia of the German trade union IG Metall emphasized that closing this office could undermine Germany and Europe’s presence in fiber-optic technology.
The German branches in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Ulm, and Nuremberg are bracing for the impact of these layoffs. Despite small gatherings, the protest in Munich reflects wider underlying tensions among employees. Nokia employs over 2,500 people in Germany and 2,400 in France. Greece hosts around 1,000 staff, making these layoffs significant in impact.
An online petition opposing the perceived Americanization of Nokia has gained traction with nearly 800 signatures. Frijia criticized the move as a strategic misstep, warning it could diminish Nokia’s competitive edge and technological leadership. “We continue to consider the closure of the Munich site to be a major mistake. The company is not in a position to provide conclusive arguments.”
Since 2018, Nokia has considerably reduced its workforce worldwide from 103,000 to 76,000 by the end of 2024. The current wave of cuts forms part of a cost-saving plan introduced in 2023, aiming to streamline operations, albeit at the expense of many livelihoods. The clash between corporate efficiency and employee welfare continues as workers stand firm against job losses.
