Nokia employees in China are protesting the massive layoffs introduced by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last month. Hundreds of employees in China are said to be picketing the "hostile takeover and violent layoffs" for hours on Friday, and those employees would convene in the afternoon to hand over their demands to the Lumia-maker.
The protest occurred at a Chinese office that employs 2,400 people. However, it's reported that only "hundreds" participated in the demonstration, carrying banners and shouting slogans against Microsoft.
The protest stemmed from Microsoft's $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia and subsequently announcing a layoff of 18,000 employees as it reorganized itself in a new change in strategy. Of those 18,000, 12,500 of those cuts would be made on the Nokia handset side.
In addition to the protests, it is also reported that Microsoft is facing difficulties in China. A Reuters report states that four Microsoft offices were raided by the Chinese government as part of an anti-monoply investigation.
Microsoft's public image extends beyond China's displeasure with labor moves as Finland had also expressed its "betrayal" by the layoffs.
Source: Reuters
