Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called on the Scottish Government to intervene in the Talk Talk proposals for the transfer of its Stornoway operation to Manchester.
Nearly 60 jobs will go as Talk Talk when closes down its island call centre.
The council has written to islands’ minister, Paul Wheelhouse, highlighting the “detrimental impacts” on the fragile local economy.
The comhairle emphasised that the mass redundancies is equivalent 3,000 job losses in a city location such as Glasgow.
Donald Crichton, chairman of the sustainable development committee, said: “This is a significant blow to the economy of the Western Isles.
“Our immediate thoughts are with the employees of the company and their families and we will play whatever role we can in supporting them.
“We anticipate that the comhairle, together with our partners in SDS and HIE, will be implementing PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) procedures.”
He added: “However I also believe that the Scottish Government can and should play an active role and do what they can by way of supporting the employees and I am sure all the local agencies would be pleased to work together with the Government and the company.”
Comhairle calls for Scottish Government intervention on Talk Talk plans to axe Stornoway call centre
31 January 2019