BT Group call center to cut 300 jobs
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — Telecommunications company BT Group has announced the closure of its Enniskillen call center, a decision that will result in the loss of approximately 300 jobs.
The move has been described as “devastating” by Northern Ireland’s economy minister, Deirdre Hargey, who expressed deep disappointment over the impact on the local community and workforce.
Impact on employees and community
The Enniskillen site, located in County Fermanagh, has been a significant employer in the region. It provides support to EE mobile phone customers.
The closure, scheduled for October 2024, follows a period during which employees were offered voluntary redundancy as the future of the site was under review.
Hargey emphasized the long-standing presence of BT in the area, stating, “As a major employer in the region for over three decades, this decision is devastating for the workers and their families, and also for the wider community.”
BT’s statement and voluntary redundancy
A BT spokesperson confirmed that 252 out of 307 workers had applied for voluntary redundancy. “We recently closed our voluntary paid leavers offer for colleagues, and over 80% of colleagues have taken the opportunity to take this up,” the spokesperson said.
“We have now made the difficult decision to propose closing the site to the small number of remaining desk-based colleagues on 31 October and have entered into consultation with colleagues and trade union partners.”
Government and union responses
In response to the closure, Hargey has called on Invest NI to take every possible measure to support the affected employees.
DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Deborah Erskine, echoed these concerns, describing the decision as “complete devastation to Enniskillen and the local economy.” She highlighted the need for regional balance in investment and job creation, a vision set out by the economy minister.
“I will be very much holding the feet to the fire of the interim economy minister in relation to that vision to ensure that we have our fair share, in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, of investment and jobs,” Erskine told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme.
Union’s reaction
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) NI Telecoms Branch expressed their dismay at the announcement. Erin Massey, the regional secretary, stated, “This will have a major impact on these workers, their families, and the local economy of Enniskillen town and surrounding areas of Fermanagh.”
The closure of the Enniskillen call center marks a significant shift for BT and poses substantial challenges for the local community, which will need to navigate the economic repercussions of this decision.
