IBM Corp Australia is rationalizing the number of recruitment agencies it uses, with a view to selecting a single company to supply labor for IBM’s operations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and most of the Asia Pacific region. According to The Australian newspaper, IBM is believed to have invited 24 agencies to tender for the recruitment contract, which will be worth around $1bn over five years. Agencies will have two weeks to respond. IBM’s move on the local scene is part of a worldwide cost-cutting drive, which is likely to see the total number of IBM-employed agencies cut from 65 to less than ten.