Unilever will cut 20,000 jobs over four years

The reductions will occur as up to 50 factories are closed or reorganized and most cost savings will be focused on Europe, the company's biggest market.

The company also plans to sell the North American laundry
division. Since 2004, the company has already reduced its global workforce to
179,000 from 223,000 by selling off businesses and restructuring its production
techniques.

Unilever announced that in the six months to June 31 sales
increased to €20bn, up from €19.7bn the year before.