RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: NPR's business news starts with job cuts in Asia.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: Asian exporters have been hit by the global economic slowdown. Now, their employees are feeling the pain. Today Sony said it's cutting 8,000 jobs from its electronics business as part of a larger cost-cutting plan. Sony's South Korean rival Samsung also announced major cost cuts today, though no layoffs. South Korean computer chip makers are also avoiding layoffs, but are reportedly forcing workers to take unpaid leave.
Asian exporters have been hit by the global economic slowdown. Now their employees are feeling the pain. Sony announced it is cutting 8,000 jobs from its electronics business as part of a larger cost-cutting plan. Sony's South Korean rival, Samsung, also announced major cuts Tuesday — though no layoffs. Computer chip makers in Taiwan put workers on unpaid leave as they struggle with the economic downturn.