Hewlett-Packard called on French carpet

PARIS, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Paris is protesting Hewlett-Packard Co.'s plan to trim the number of French workers by at least 1,200.

France's Deputy Labor Minister Gerard Larcher demanded a meeting with H-P executives this week over the company's plan.

H-P employs about 4,800 people in France and 14,500 globally. It seeks to cut yearly expenses by $1.9 billion.

"A decision like this can't be taken without looking at the consequences in a certain number of countries," Larcher said.

"I've also been in touch with my fellow European Union labor ministers. Europe must offer a collective response when confronted with some issues."

France has a 9.9 percent unemployment rate.