Electrical retailer AO shifts UK call centre roles to South Africa

About 150 jobs have already been lost in Bolton as company reports 145% rise in profits and hands £20m to shareholders

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The online electrical goods seller AO World has revealed it is outsourcing up to 200 UK call centre roles to South Africa blaming rising labour costs, as it handed £20m to shareholders.

As the retailer reported a jump in profits, it said it was shifting the majority of call centre jobs overseas “in response to ongoing inflationary cost pressures, and particularly rising employment costs”. It expects to save about £4m a year as a result of the change.
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