Laid-off IBM employees in North America and Canada now can hope to work abroad – in India, Russia, Brazil or other countries – rather than joining the growing ranks of the unemployed.

IBM may also offer jobs in China, Nigeria, Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, agency reported citing an IMM internal document.

Through a programme, called 'Project Match' the software giant is helping its outgoing employees take up IBM jobs in the growth markets or other countries. IBM will also help employees wanting jobs abroad with shifting costs as also provide immigration support, like visa assistance, according to the document.

Big Blue would help laid-off employees ''locate potential job opportunities in growth markets where skills are in demand," the report said.

The offer, however, is limited to "satisfactory performers who have been notified of separation from IBM US or (IBM) Canada and are willing to work on local terms and conditions." the report added.

IBM pay packets in the emerging markets are much less than what the company pays to its employees in the US or Canada and, obviously, those employees who opt for a relocation to India or other countries would have to agree for less.

IBM, however, did no clarify whether these workers would be be paid local wages and would be subject to local labour laws.

The new programme would also match President Barack Obama's policy of keeping both work and workers to United States.

New York-based IBM is expected to have slashed 4,000 jobs since the beginning of the year. IBM India employs over 75,000 people.