State boost as jobs relocate from India to Kingston
The Australian Services Union has welcomed a decision from telecommunications company Vodafone to relocate 750 call centre jobs from Mumbai to Tasmanian region Kingston, with valuable assistance from the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.
Today Prime Minister Julia Gillard will announce the windfall on a visit to Tasmania.
ASU Assistant Secretary Igor Grattan said that the decision is a great boon for the area and will in turn double Vodafone's Tasmanian workforce.
"The ASU has long been on public record fighting against job losses and continues to campaign for the injection of new jobs throughout Tasmania, and this decision is certainly a step in the right direction."
"While we are still concerned at the job losses in the Electrical Retail area this announcement should give those employees some hope of finding employment"
"We will continue to lobby both state and federal government and we hope that other companies can see the benefit of investing in the Tasmanian workforce."
"It is believed that the jobs will be filled at a rate of around 70 per month during 2013 and 2014. The news is even more welcoming considering the ASU raised its concerns late last year after reports Vodafone was to shed 500 of its jobs Australia wide. To be heading in the other - and much more positive – direction is great news for prospective employees and for the state of Tasmania."
Download ASU media release - 010313