NZ call-centre gets jobs boost, Melbourne workers miss out
(28 May 2013 – New Zealand) ANZ announced plans to replace 70 call-centre jobs at its Melbourne office with positions in New Zealand as part of attempts to bolster profit through cost-cutting.
An ANZ spokesman confirmed the plan to move 70 jobs overseas, but said Australia would remain the main location for call centres that handled queries from domestic customers.
''ANZ advised staff in its Australian call centre last week that 70 roles will be transitioned to our call centre in New Zealand,'' the spokesman said.
''We do not anticipate the change will involve any redundancies as staff impacts will be managed over time through natural staff turnover.''
The cuts are part of a plan to replace up to 500 call-centre positions with jobs in New Zealand over the next few years through natural attrition.
The ANZ spokesman said the bank had no specific plans to bulk up the New Zealand presence beyond the 70 positions announced to staff last week, but it would consider moves to lift efficiency.
''We do not have any specific plans at present for further expansion of our call-centre capability in New Zealand. However, we will continue to look at options to provide the best possible service to our customers in the most efficient way,'' the spokesman said.
ANZ cut its full-time staff by 820 in the six months to March. In February, it cut 70 positions from its wealth division and replaced the staff with workers in India, a move that mostly affected back-office positions in Sydney.
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