Japanese IT Giant Fujitsu Plans 1,800 UK Job Cuts
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 11, 2016 | 11:00 PM
LONDON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2016 ) - Japanese IT giant Fujitsu said Tuesday it was planning to cut up to 1,800 jobs in Britain as part of a restructuring programme. Fujitsu said the plan was to streamline its operations and make it more competitive in a global information technology market.
The layoffs amount to around 13 percent of its workforce in Britain and Ireland, where it claims to be the biggest Japanese employer with some 14,000 staff. Fujitsu insisted the announcement was not linked to Britain's vote in June to leave the European Union.
The programme will enable Fujitsu to "better support customers in the era of digital transformation", the company said. The restructuring should mean the firm can "provide better service and respond more quickly to customer needs", it claimed.
"As part of the programme, Fujitsu plans to streamline operations in order to remain competitive in the market. "Proposed measures include changes which would result in a reduction of up to 1,800 jobs in the UK." A spokeswoman told AFP that no jobs would go before 2017 and Fujitsu would be able to give clearer details on job losses next year.
Shares in Fujitsu soared last Thursday on news it was considering merging its struggling personal computer division with China's lenovo, the world's biggest PC maker.
Japanese personal computer makers have been scaling back their businesses as consumers move to mobile devices to check e-mail or use the web.
Once mighty Japanese firms have been selling off assets in recent years as they struggle to reorganise in the face of stiff competition from lower-cost rivals abroad, including in China and South Korea.
Established in 1935, Fujitsu describes itself as the world's fifth-largest IT services provider and the biggest within Japan. It says it has around 156,000 staff worldwide. Within Britain and Ireland, it claims to enable processing of 2.8 million passports and more than 10 million driving licence updates every year.
Unite, Britain's biggest trade union, said Tuesday's announcement was a "hammer blow" for workers who have "given their all" to make Fujitsu's UK subsidiary highly profitable. "Fujitsu's main UK subsidiary made 85.6 million Pounds ($104 million, 94 million Euros) profit last year and we see no reason for these job losses," said the union's national IT officer Ian Tonks.
"Unite will be doing its utmost to fight for these jobs, as well as giving our members maximum support at this very worrying time." Unite said workers would be affected at Fujitsu's major sites which include Belfast, Bracknell, Crewe, Londonderry, Manchester, Stevenage, Wakefield and Warrington.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 29 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 29 April 2024
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 April 2024
Fresh wave of rainfall in AJK continues for the second consecutive day
Babar, bowlers help Pakistan level series 2-2 against New Zealand
Attack in restive Chilean province leaves three police officers dead
PM, Saudi Royal court advisor discuss ways to boost economic ties
England clinch third successive Women's Six Nations Grand Slam
DC Bahawalnagar leads fight for fair bread prices
Sheffield Utd relegated from Premier League
02 proclaimed offenders arrested by Wah Police
More Stories From World
-
Alcaraz passes 'test of fire', Sabalenka survives in Madrid Open
2 hours ago -
Clippers thwart Mavs' comeback bid, Brunson's 47 points fuel Knicks win
2 hours ago -
Dozens of tornadoes plow central US, at least 5 killed
2 hours ago -
Hamas delegation to arrive in Egypt for Gaza truce talks
2 hours ago -
Masood Khan hails Pakistani-American physicians role in upgrading Pakistan's healthcare system; also ..
2 hours ago -
Brunson sets Knicks record with 47 to lead New York over 76ers
3 hours ago
-
Football: French Ligue 1 table
9 hours ago -
Inter continue Serie A title party as Bologna slip in Champions League bid
9 hours ago -
Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1 title after Monaco defeat
9 hours ago -
Man City see off Forest to close on Premier League leaders Arsenal
10 hours ago -
Italian PM Meloni says will stand in EU elections
10 hours ago -
Masood Khan hails Pakistani-American physicians role in upgrading Pakistan's healthcare system; also ..
10 hours ago