Tata’s outsourcing arm plans Liverpool job cuts

DILIGENTA, an outsourcing business owned by the Indian group Tata, plans to cut 140 jobs at its Liverpool office, according to the union Unite.

It said the company will move the administration and processing of its life and pensions policies to an operation in Kolkata, India.

Some 40 jobs will transfer by the end of the year and a further 100 in 2013, but Unite said the Diligenta was not planning compulsory redundancies.

Diligenta employs around 700 staff in Liverpool and also has offices in Manchester and Preston.

Unite Finance Sector Officer, Daryl Williams, said: “The decision to move work out to the Indian operation comes as a big blow to the workforce in Liverpool on top of the 74 job cuts already announced earlier this year.

“At a time when many companies are bringing offshored work back to the UK, Unite believes that this decision is a retrograde step by Diligenta.

“We have been in discussions with Diligenta and welcome the company’s commitment to no compulsory redundancies and enhanced redundancy pay which will protect our members’ livelihoods but the wider impact of the jobs being lost to the economy on Merseyside will also be damaging.”

A spokesman for the company said: “Diligenta can confirm it has commenced collective consultation procedures with Unite in relation to a voluntary redundancy programme in its Liverpool office.

“Diligenta remains committed to supporting employees throughout this process; until consultation with the union and impacted employees are complete, Diligenta is unable to provide further details.”