Novartis to cut 500 jobs in Basel. Unions disappointed, population angry.

Novartis announced that it planned to cut up to 500 jobs in the Basel relocating many to India. The job areas affected were primarily at two production sites: one at its Basel campus and another at Schweizerhalle in canton Basel.

It said it planned to also create around 350 new high-tech positions in production and research in Switzerland over the same period.A Novartis spokesman said that this confirms Novartis’ long-term commitment to Switzerland and represents an additional investment.

This decision had been taken as part of the ‘ongoing transition to an integrated operating model’ introduced in 2016 to strengthen innovation and enhance quality and efficiency worldwide, the spokesman said, continuing, „The ongoing implementation of this model results in adjustments to employee numbers worldwide,”

Union reaction

The Swiss union UNIA said the news was a severe blow for Switzerland and a shock especially in view of Novartis' healthy economic situation. It urged the firm to reverse its decision on the job cuts.

Last October, Novartis announced it would axe 73 positions as it mothballs a Zurich-based research centre. The move was said to be part of a global reorganization of research facilities also affecting China, Singapore and the United States.

Population reaction

Analysing the comments sections of the major newspapers, the populous were displeased and used the opportunity to vent their dissatisfaction with Novartis.