ybf

http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/09/07/ujobs.xml&sSheet=/portal/2003/09/07/ixportaltop.html

Union wants inquiry into call centre job losses
(Filed: 07/09/2003)

A major trade union has called on the Government to hold an inquiry
into the loss of call centre jobs after warnings that a growing number
of firms were transferring work to other countries.

Amicus said the loss of jobs in the service sector could be a
"catastrophe" for areas of the country which relied on call centres
for employment.

The union published a new opinion poll that it said showed consumers
were prepared to "punish" firms which outsourced jobs to other
countries, such as India.

Most of the 1,500 people surveyed said they would take into account
where a company employed its staff when making purchasing decisions.

Most of those questioned also expressed strong concerns over the
security of information held by companies with operations overseas.

Roger Lyons, joint general secretary of Amicus, said: " We are opposed
to jobs leaving Britain and it is time for the Government to order an
inquiry into an issue that is clearly a cause of great concern to the
electorate."

Mr Lyons, speaking on the eve of the TUC congress in Brighton, when
the loss of jobs overseas will be a central issue, said the Government
should be investigating union concerns about the loss of jobs in this
country and on its effect on training and other issues.

The results of the survey were a "hammer blow" for firms which thought
they could get away without outsourcing jobs, he said.

Mr Lyons said any job which did not involve personal contact could be
switched to other countries because of the "extraordinary" cost
savings which could be made.