The software giant Microsoft has declared that it is planning to reduce its workforce in its Indian unit. The Redmond, Washington based software maker has announced that over 55 (1 percent) of its 5,500 employees will be laid off in India, as part of the company’s global realignment of business priorities.

The spokesperson of Microsoft has said that the company is reducing its workers from some specific areas, but the company will hire more employees for other areas in India.

In a statement, the company spokeswoman said, "We are currently working with the concerned employees to evaluate alternative positions internally, and where applicable look at mutually favorable disengagement terms.”

Microsoft has not yet made it clear that the employees of which of its Indian operations will be most affected by the job cuts. However, according to sources in Microsoft India, the a sizeable number company’s employees working sales and support departments in Hyderabad and a few in Bangalore are lkely to be affected by the recent job cuts.