Manila city, the Filipino capital, where Orange customer service staff say they were told they could move.
DARLINGTON, U.K - Staff at Orange customer service centre in Darlington, County Durham, say they were even given details of a 'rice allowance' they could claim as part of the 'transfer' package to work for IBM in Manila. Workers at a mobile phone company have been told they can keep their jobs - if they move to the Philippines.
Orange, which last year merged with T-Mobile to create Everything Everywhere, recently confirmed that 40 staff would be affected by plans to outsource some work abroad.- The Darlington jobs are being moved to the firm's service partner, IBM, based 7,000 miles away in the Philippines. So far, a small number of staff have accepted severance packages, while others have taken alternative roles within the company.
- Others affected have been placed on 'special leave' receiving basic pay while they consider their options. One staff member, who did not want to be named, said staff were angry with the way the way the situation had been handled by the company.
She said: ‘It is a complete joke. No one in their right mind would want to move to Manila. When we asked for details of the transfer package we were handed a sheet of paper with what the IBM employees receive, which is less than £200 a month, with a rice allowance and a laundry allowance.- ‘That's not a transfer package, it's a job description for someone who works for IBM in Manila.
Darlington MP Jenny Chapman (left photo) said: ‘I am lost for words. It is hard to take this Manila move seriously, or consider it as a credible proposition.‘I really cannot imagine people working in the offices of Darlington Orange considering moving to the Phillipines.
‘I would be fascinated to find out how many people take them up on this offer.’
Orange cut 120 jobs in Darlington last year and has faced a series of allegations from staff who say a consultation has been inadequate and rushed and complain of shoddy treatment
Wednesday, 18 May, 2011
I don't get it.What a shame, what's wrong in transferring to Manila? Though I understand that their allowance/wage(whatever it is) may not be enough. It would be an 'ouch' to our part if they won't transfer in Manila because it is such an ugly place. I might be wrong in my interpretation.
Soledad from Cagayan de Oro(www.cdokay.com)
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