Fujitsu to axe 1,800 UK jobs as part of “strategic transformation”
Japanese tech giant Fujitsu will axe nearly 2,000 jobs as part of a "strategic transformation" which it says is not linked to the Brexit vote.
Fujitsu said today that it plans to streamline operations resulting in a reduction on up to 1,800 jobs in the UK.
The move will affect workers at its major sites in Belfast, Bracknell, Crewe, Londonderry/Derry, Manchester, Stevenage, Wakefield and Warrington.
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"All affected employees will be offered guidance and support and Fujitsu is establishing a consultation process with elected employee representatives," the company said in a statement.
Fujitsu is embarking on a restructuring programme enabling it to provide a better service and respond more quickly to customer needs in the digital age.
A Fujitsu spokesperson said that the announcement was not linked to Britain's vote to leave the European Union on 23 June.
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Unite national officer for IT, Ian Tonks, said that Fujitsu employees could rely on the union's backing in challenging Fujitsu's actions.
"This is a hammer blow for these hardworking employees who have given their all to make the UK subsidiary highly profitable," he said in a statement.
"It is not good news for the UK economy as the company says that it intends to offshore many of these jobs, with increased automation also responsible for job losses."