Fujitsu shake up may not affect workers

The Minister said the review had identified a possible surplus of 60 application services staff across all Fujitsu’s UK locations.

She made the comments in response to a question on the potential job threat from Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney.

He asked: “Mindful of the news over the weekend about pressure being put on a number of jobs in Fujitsu in Derry, what steps is the Minister taking to tackle the high rates of unemployment in Derry and Strabane?”

Mrs Foster replied: “I will take up the Member’s point about Fujitsu. I understand that, as part of the normal course of business, the company undertakes regular reviews to ensure that resources match its service delivery contractual commitments.

“A review carried out by the company’s applications support group has identified a possible - and it is only a possible - surplus of around 60 staff across all its locations, and the company has entered into a 30-day statutory consultation period with all applications support staff across all its locations in the UK and Ireland, as required by law.

“Therefore, the site in Londonderry may not be affected at all, but we shall have to wait. Fujitsu works closely with the Executive, Invest Northern Ireland and local representatives, and we hope that the quality and value of work that is delivered for Fujitsu in Londonderry will bear through in those job announcements.”