Scottish Widows to ship 94 city jobs to India

Published on Tuesday 20 February 2007 14:56

FINANCIAL giant Scottish Widows is to outsource another 94 jobs to India, bringing the total lost from Edinburgh to 500 in the past three years.

And employees expressed concerns about the gradual "erosion" of the firm's headquarters.

The company, which employs 4000 people and has its headquarters on Morrison Street, has reassured workers that no one will be made redundant.

It says the cuts will be made through "natural wastage" by not replacing some staff when they leave or retire, and by cutting the numbers of temporary workers.

But David Kelly, who represents the 60 per cent of workers who belong to the Amicus union, said staff were still angry.

He said: "Staff feel disappointed that the company wants to off-shore more. Every time it happens, it makes them feel slightly more insecure.

"Obviously we would have preferred these roles to stay in the UK and preferably within the Edinburgh area."

Bosses have not yet decided exactly which jobs will be moved.

Mike Pringle, MSP for Edinburgh South, said: "It's extremely regrettable that any jobs are lost in Scotland.

"It's less opportunities for school-leavers and graduates.

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A spokesman for Scottish Widows said it had made the decision following "cost and efficiency gains" in the pilot study.