At year-end 2012, we employed 50,610 staff in continuing operations (year-end 2011: 52,020 employees). The net decrease was due to:
- A decrease of 1,450 employees due to ongoing restructuring
- A net decrease of 540 employees due to acquisitions and divestments, mainly from the Boxing acquisition (620 employees) and the divestment of Chemicals Pakistan (1,100 employees)
- An increase of 580 employees mainly due to new hires in high growth markets.