Fujitsu to axe up to 1,800 jobs – Manchester team at risk?

Japanese IT services firm Fujitsu has announced plans to axe up to 1,800 staff roles in the UK, leaving the Manchester team at risk.

The move will see approximately 18 per cent of its global workforce cut, has been branded a ‘hammer blow’ by trade union group Unite.

The company employs 636 people in Manchester, and it is currently unclear how many roles will disappear from the Newton Heath site.

Unite national officer for IT, Ian Tonks, said there’s ‘no excuse’ for the job cuts when the company is making a profit. He said: “This is a hammer blow for these hardworking employees who have given their all to make the UK subsidiary highly profitable.

“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.

“Fujtsu’s main UK subsidiary made £85.6m profit last year and we see no reason for these job losses. Unite will be doing its utmost to fight for these jobs, as well as giving our members maximum support at this very worrying time.”

Fujitsu, which employs 14,000 people in the UK and Ireland, has denied that the job losses are linked to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, but is instead part of a ‘transformative programme’.

A statement from the firm said: “Fujitsu is planning a transformation programme that will enable it to better support customers in the era of digital transformation.

“The company today advised its employee representative forum of plans to restructure the organisation in order to provide better service and respond more quickly to customer needs.

“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. All affected employees will be offered guidance and support and Fujitsu is establishing a consultation process with elected employee representatives.”