Who's hiring?

• The Iraq government is creating 800,000 new jobs to ease unemployment and boost the economy in the troubled region.
• India's technology and outsourcing giant Tata Consultancy Services is expanding in the US with a new operation that in three years will employ 1,000 workers.
• German car giant Volkswagen plans to create some 8,500 new jobs worldwide during this year. Half the new hires will be in Germany and the majority of the new positions — about 5,500 — will primarily go to young college graduates or apprentices.
• US-based nuclear reactor maker Westinghouse claims it will create 15,000 jobs in the UK if the British government gives the green light to five reactors, according to The Times.


Who's firing?

• Ron Sadler, the boss of newly nationalised Northern Rock, has announced plans to cut 2,000 jobs as the stricken lender is shrunk in an attempt to repay its £25bn taxpayer loan within three years.
• James Purnell, secretary for work and pensions, announced 12,000 job cuts across the department.
• Ericsson AB, the world's largest maker of wireless networks, plans to cut 400 jobs in Germany to reduce costs.