The restructuring events database contains factsheets with data on large-scale restructuring events reported in the principal national media and company websites in each EU Member State. This database was created in 2002.
Scotland; Eastern Scotland; Perth and Kinross and Stirling
Location of affected unit(s)
Falkirk
Sector
Administrative Services Office Administrative, Office Support And Other Business Support Activities Activities Of Call Centres 82.20 - Activities of call centres
New offshoring locations
South Africa
120 jobs Number of planned job losses
Announcement Date
20 January 2019
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
Description
Webhelp, the company which provides customer service functions for its customers, has announced plans to move services to South Africa, with the loss of 120 jobs. The site, which employs 168 staff and provides services for the holiday business Thomas Cook, has been the subject of various business support from the Scottish Government, which means that the latest announcement is proving contentious. According to reports the company will try to achieve the redundancies by opening a voluntary scheme, though it is also being suggested that a consultation is underway and the jobs will be cut by the end of April 2019.
In 2015, Webhelp closed two of its centres in North West England and outsourced work to South Africa, where labour costs are significantly lower.
Eurofound (2019), Webhelp, Offshoring/Delocalisation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 96665, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/96665.
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