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Research In Motion has quietly begun its much-anticipated layoffs as part of a cost-cutting restructuring.
The struggling BlackBerry maker has been laying off employees in batches of at least 10 for the past several weeks, people familiar with the situation told The Wall Street Journal. Employees in RIM’s quality control, operations, and parts departments have been targeted so far, according to the report.
RIM, which has announced a broad restructuring in an effort to save $1 billion by the end of the fiscal year, confirmed to CNET that it has begun cutting jobs as part of that restructuring.
“RIM has reduced some positions as part of this program and may continue to do so as the company methodically works through a review of the business,” RIM spokesperson Amy Jones said.
The company has been struggling to bring back lost market share and sales for its once popular BlackBerry devices, but it’s not having much luck in an industry ruled by Apple and Android. Fourth-quarter reports show a company loss of $125 million and a 25 percent drop in revenue.
After laying off 2,000 employees last year, the company is rumored to be eyeing another 2,000 job cuts in the current restructuring.
The company has also experienced an exodus of key executives in recent months. The company’s chief legal adviser announced her resignation last month after 12 years with the company, a week after the company lost its London-based head of global sales.
Updated June 20 at 8 a.m. PT with RIM confirmation.
