Glasgow City Council’s IT staff are facing the distressing situation of having to train Indian workers to take over their jobs before their roles are relocated to Asia. Approximately 90 highly skilled employees have been given the option of early retirement or redeployment once the “knowledge transfer” process is complete.
The IT subcontractor CGI, which Glasgow City Council works with, has deployed teams of graduates to Glasgow as part of a programme to learn the roles of the current IT staff. Many of the affected employees are described as professional programmers and technicians who are deeply passionate about their work. They are directly employed by the council but are seconded to CGI to work on outsourced IT contracts.
Prior to the expiry of their contracts, CGI has informed the council staff that they will not be needed for their roles anymore. As a result, these staff members are being asked to train Indian workers to carry out their responsibilities. While some staff members have opted for early retirement, others are still awaiting news of alternative positions within the council.
This shift has stirred outrage among the employees, as they believe that once these jobs are relocated overseas, they won’t return to Scotland, depriving future graduates of employment opportunities. Job adverts in India suggest that IT programmers and analysts will be paid significantly less than the council IT workers who are either retiring early or being redeployed.
The decision to renew the IT contract with CGI, a Canadian company, was made in 2017 with the aim of enhancing digital services in Glasgow. Following the renewal of the contract, some functions will now be transferred to a new contractor, Commsworld, while others remain with CGI.
This move reflects a growing trend of Scottish jobs being outsourced to countries like Asia and Eastern Europe. Glasgow City Council has been grappling with budget cuts and financial challenges, with key buildings being leveraged to maintain financial stability.
In response to queries, a council spokesperson highlighted that the council is transitioning to a multi-source model for digital and IT service delivery, procuring new contracts instead of relying on a single provider. While some seconded staff have opted for voluntary exits or redeployment to different roles within the council, CGI has indicated its intention to hire globally for certain roles going forward.
The outsourcing of jobs from Scotland to international locations has broader implications for local employment and economic opportunities. The situation facing Glasgow City Council’s IT staff underscores the complexities and challenges of modern workforce dynamics in an increasingly globalised economy.