Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has called for urgent clarity to be given following the announcement by UK insurance giant Aviva that the company plans to cut around 1,500 jobs by the end of 2017, following its acquisition of pensions company Friends Life.
The Mid Scotland & Fife MSP has called on the Scottish Government to enter into discussion with the company at the earliest opportunity and begin plans for the possible use of PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment).
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:
“The announcement that Aviva plan to cut around 1,500 jobs by the end of 2017 will be a real concern for the many people who work at its Perth call centre site.
“Employees at Aviva will want urgent clarity over their future and it is essential that this is given to them at the earliest opportunity. I also believe it would be prudent for the Scottish Government to enter into early discussions with the company over their future plans in Perth.
“It is crucial that if we are to see significant redundancies that we see steps taken early to help those affected. I have therefore called on the Scottish Government to put PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) the Scottish Government's national strategic partnership framework for responding to redundancy situations on standby.”
Cllr Alexander Stewart, said:
“Perth has provided the company with first class call centre services over many decades and I strongly believe that there is a bright future for call centre jobs in Perthshire.”