Business

Jobs fear for 300 workers at BT call centre in Enniskillen

Telecoms group undertakes review into the future of its site in Co Fermanagh

BT has said its trading is on track after price rises helped support growth in the latest quarter
BT Group has undertaken a review of its site in Enniskillen, promoting fears that it might closure, impacting the jobs of 300 staff (BT Group/PA)

WORKERS at a BT call centre in Enniskillen fear they could be made redundant amid fears the telecoms giant will close its operation in the town later this year.

Around 300 staff - who provide support to EE mobile customers - have been offered voluntary redundancy after a review into the future of the site was ordered by BT.

BT Group said a final decision had not been made, but the building would require significant improvements to make it fit for purpose.

Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan is seeking an urgent meeting with BT, and said any potential closure of the Enniskillen site would be”devastating” for workers and their families.

And Ulster Unionist MLA for the area Tom Elliott - who described the Enniskillen site as a “a vital hub of employment with loyal and dedicated staff” - said its closure “would have a detrimental effect on the regional inequality that already exists across Northern Ireland that disproportionally affects the west”.



He too has requested an urgent meeting with BT to discuss pathways forward and said he will be writing to new economy minister Conor Murphy to outline his concerns.

A BT Group spokesman said the company was undertaking an ambitious modernisation programme and consolidating buildings within its estate.

“We are currently reviewing our contact centre in Enniskillen and have offered colleagues the opportunity to take our voluntary paid leavers package.

“No decision has been made on the future of our Enniskillen contact centre and no customers will be impacted by today’s announcement.”

BT Group, which supports 7,300 jobs in Northern Ireland, recently reopened its flagship Belfast headquarters after a multi-million pound upgrade.