Around 20 companies based in the South Wales area have said they could offer new jobs to the majority of the 1,100 workers facing potential redundancy from Tesco’s contact centre in Cardiff.
In response Economy Secretary Ken Skates AM established the Tesco Taskforce, which includes the Minister for Skills and Science, representatives of Careers Wales, the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, DWP, Public Health Wales, Trade Unions and Welsh Government officials, to ensure that workers affected could access the very best support.
Mr Skates said: “Tesco’s plans to close its Cardiff contact centre have come as a devastating blow to its highly skilled and award-winning staff.
“While Tesco are still consulting on these plans, there remains some hope that they may reverse their decision. However in the mean time we are working with our Taskforce to do all we can to provide the support and reassurance that staff need at this difficult time.
“I am pleased to report that just over one week since the first meeting of our Taskforce, we have now received in confidence indications from around 20 successful and well established companies in South Wales that they would be interested in providing employment opportunities to Tesco staff at risk of redundancy.
“This is a huge testament to what can be achieved through a proactive and collaborative approach. Our priority throughout the summer will be to maintain momentum so that whatever Tesco’s ultimate decision, we can work to ensure the best achievable outcome for affected workers.”
In a joint statement, Assembly Members Hefin David (Caerphilly), Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) and Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central) said: “We are reassured that the Welsh Government has recognised the toll that Tesco’s decision has had on employees and their families, and it has set up a task force to give the necessary support. The Cabinet Secretary told us that his officials have identified over 20 businesses – many of them household names – who have expressed an interest in taking on the dedicated and hard-working Tesco staff because of their transferable skills.
“The Welsh Government has also commissioned a review of trends in employers’ approaches to outsourcing, with a view to developing a skills-based strategy for the future labour market.
“Ultimately, however, we firmly believe that Tesco could and should have done a lot better in terms of engaging with its staff and with local elected representatives on such a significant issue.”