HELSINKI – Nokia on Tuesday said it will shutter its plant in Bochum, Germany, by mid-year and will pare as many as 2,300 staff from its payroll.

“We are moving production to existing plants, mainly in Romania, which will start during the first quarter,” Nokia spokesperson Arja Suominen said.

Labor costs are almost 10 times higher in Germany than in Romania, a Nokia director.

Nokia is investing nearly $90 million in a mobile phone plant in Romania.

Local union officials said they would move against Nokia’s plan. "We cannot understand why Nokia closes down this site despite having earned so much money here. The union will take action against Nokia's decision," a spokesperson said.