11/07/2002

Empey heads mission to US over TeleTech concerns

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Sir Reg Empey, is expected to meet TeleTech chiefs in the US over the company's concerns for the future of its north Belfast call centre.

The call centre, based in Duncairn Gardens, has been forced to close down twice over the last year because of sectarian violence in the area.

Sir Reg, has already appealed to representatives of north Belfast to help stop further sectarian violence that could threaten the future of the centre.

Suprisingly, the Ministers call was backed by loyalist paramilitary group, the UDA who said they would "actively discourage" sectarianism in and around the interface area if it was having an impact on the business community.

Meanwhile, the SDLP has requested a meeting with the management of the centre at the "earliest opportunity".

The party's councillor for Oldpark, Martin Morgan, said his party was seeking the meeting in order to "establish the severity of the problem faced by the plant".

He added: "We will also offer to assist the company in any way which may secure existing and potential jobs. The success of TeleTech in north Belfast is key to attracting further jobs to the area in the future."

At present the call centre, which provides a 24-hour customer call service for some of the world's best-known companies, employs 300 workers.

(MB)


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