Webhelp

Type
Offshoring/Delocalisation
Country
United Kingdom
Region
North West (England);
Location of affected unit(s)
Aintree, Bolton
Sector
Adminstrative / Support Services
82 - Office administrative, office support and other business support activities
82.2 - Activities of call centres
82.20 - Activities of call centres
New offshoring locations
South Africa
700 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
3 December 2015
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 March 2017

Description

Call centre operator webhelp is reported to be closing two of its centres in North West England with the loss of 700 jobs. The majority of the jobs from the sites in Aintree and Bolton will be moved to South Africa where labour costs are much lower. Hourly wage rates in South Africa are the equivalent of 2.39 GBP compared with 6.70 GBP in the UK.  Trade Union Usdaw is balloting its members on industrial action to oppose the closures at the two sites. The current plans are for the Bolton operations to close in March 2016 and the Aintree operations are scheduled to close the following March. 

Sources

  • 3 December 2015: The Guardian

Citation

Eurofound (2015), Webhelp, Offshoring/Delocalisation in United Kingdom, factsheet number 85699, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/85699.