Westpac New Zealand has responded to Finsec’s call for a public commitment to keeping jobs in New Zealand with the right answer: no plans to send jobs offshore.
Finsec Vice-President Maxine Mullen welcomed Westpac’s statement and said Westpac had set an example to other banks not to join ANZ National’s race to the bottom for cheap labour. This assurance came after reports yesterday that Westpac Australia was planning to send 3000 jobs to India.
“We’re pleased to hear that Westpac is looking to recruit 150 new staff and are investing in training and upgrading facilities,” said Mullen. “This is good news for staff and customers who want investment in New Zealand rather than exporting of local jobs.”
Westpac New Zealand announced this week their half-year profit increased to $244 million. Maxine Mullen believes Westpac’s profit improvement shows it is weathering current economic conditions well, can afford to pay fair wages to local staff and doesn’t need to move work overseas to stay profitable.
Thats rather a great idea of stopping to send jobs offshore as it will give an opportunity to the citizens of New Zealand to grow more towards the work that was being outsourced.