Google eyes Motorola layoffs: report

Staff layoffs are reportedly on the agenda as Google moves to close its merger with patent-rich mobile maker Motorola Mobility by Wednesday.

The search giant will embark on a “listening tour” of its new subsidiary aimed at determining the roles each of Motorola Mobility’s 21,500 employees play, according to sources cited by TechCrunch.

Any layoffs would likely follow Motorola Mobility's pre-merger blood letting in October last year, when it made 800 redundant, costing the company $31 million in severance and other payments.

Neither Motorola Mobility nor Google have commented on the speculated layoffs.

Motorola Mobility on Monday confirmed it would aim to complete the US$12.5 billion transaction within the next two days.

The deal passed the final regulatory hurdle over weekend after Chinese regulators agreed to the merger on the condition Android remained free for the next five years.