VAIO netbook maker Sonyis the latest
global technology sector firm to turn to workers to help out with
financial woes.
The global financial crisis and a strong Japanese currency is
expected to push Sony to an operating loss of $2.9bn for the
current financial year to 31 March, the Financial Times
reports.
Sony has announced it will keep workers salaries at 2008 levels
to help the company recover from losses due to falling demand for
PCs and other electronic goods.
Managers' pay will drop by up to 20% through wage cuts and bonus
reductions of up to 40%, while workers' bonuses will be reduced by
about 30%.
Sony announced in December it will
cut 8,000 jobs as well as close 10% of its manufacturing sites
and slash investments by 30% to counter the effects of the economic
downturn.
Last week, Hewlett-Packard announced temporary wage cuts of 10%
for all US and Puerto Rico employees in its EDS business units.
The April wage cuts will "keep the organisation strong while
increasing financial flexibility," HP said in a statement.
Hitachi, Toshiba and NEC also said last week they were
considering similar cost cutting measures to help ride out the
economic downturn.
In January, NEC announced it plans to
cut 20,000 jobs worldwide as a result of the economic
downturn.