Citing a worsening economy, Software giant Sun Microsystems Inc. has informed that it would cut up to 18 percent of its work force, or up to 6,000 jobs, as part of a larger restructuring.

Nasdaq-listed Sun said the restructuring move will help in annual saving between $700 to $800 million.

As part of the revamp, the high-end computer maker, which has struggled with declining sales and a plunging stock price said, it is splitting its software organization into three business groups -- Application Platform Software, Systems Platforms, and Cloud Computing & Developer Platforms.

The Santa Clara server and software maker said the actions will result in a charge of $500 million to $600 million over the next 12 months.

In addition, Sun stated in a communiqué that Rich Green, executive vice president of software, "has chosen to leave the company”.

In early trading, Sun Microsystems shares were down 1.23%, or 05 cents, to $4.03, in Nasdaq (Friday).