Alcatel-Lucent to cut fewer jobs in France

Telecom gear maker Alcatel-Lucent will cut fewer jobs in France than previously planned under moves to slash 10,000 posts worldwide in an attempt to stem losses, its chief executive told Le Monde newspaper.

Reuters, citing the newspaper report, said the French share of the cuts will now amount to fewer than 700, down from 900 announced last year.

Alcatel came under pressure from French politicians, who are struggling to tackle high unemployment and had warned the government might block the job cuts.

The company last year announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide over the next two years. The Americas will lose about 2,100 jobs under the plan. The company’s

Europe, Middle East and Africa region will lose 4,100 positions and the Asia-Pacific zone will cut 3,800.