Westpac denies job outsourcing by stealth

MAJOR bank Westpac is outsourcing more jobs to India in a move which unions claim is being done "department by department" to avoid scrutiny.

The latest cuts affect 10 positions in human resources in Sydney, with the postitions sent to Genpact in India, the Finance Sector Union said.

Westpac said the FSU figures on recent outsourcing of jobs were "roughly accurate" but rejected any suggestion of trying to achieve change via stealth.

It said the FSU was kept informed of changes.

A Westpac spokesman said the latest move was partly due to cost savings and also because such overseas organisations were specialists with the latest technology and could handle the work better.

Westpac said the data would have strict security protocols.

The FSU had raised concerns saying: "Genpact in India will be responsible for storing, accessing and updating the personal training profile of every Westpac employee, including names, work addresses and training information".

It comes on top of 93 positions in South Australia and NSW that were outsourced in September, the FSU said.

Other jobs which did not involve direct contact with customers could also go, it said.

"By offshoring department by department Westpac avoids the scrutiny that the announcement of large jobs cuts attract," the FSU said.

Westpac said it was not practical to announce all changes in one go.

Westpac had increased staff by a net level of 1000.

It said all affected people were offered nearby work on a similar pay level.

news.com.au 24 Jan 2008

Newsflash : There is no strict security protocols, where the data is going! Wake Up Australia !!