Ryde: Fear over job losses at Service NSW call centre
Jobs could be axed at a western Sydney Service NSW centre after a $110 million drop in employee expenses.
Northern District Times
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Full-Time jobs at Ryde’s Service NSW call centre will likely be affected by a budgeted $110 million drop in employee related expenses this financial year.
Budget papers indicate expenses will be cut to $146 million in the 2019-2020 financial year.
This compares to the $256 million spent on employee related expenses for Service NSW last financial year.
In response to questions at budget estimates, the government confirmed its budget cuts would result in a reduction in full-time equivalent positions across the customer service cluster, including at Service NSW.
Opposition Better Public Services spokeswoman Sophie Cotsis said the government must reveal details of its planned job cuts.
“This is because they are likely to make it harder for people to access basic services like driving tests and cost of living assistance,” Ms Cotsis said.
“They need to come clean and explain this drastic cut in funding for workers and how they plan to maintain service delivery.”
She said that was particularly important in bush and regional areas where 70 per cent of Service NSW Centres were located, making it harder for people to access help if affected by drought or bushfires.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said there would be no cuts to frontline Service NSW staff.
“In the 2019/2020 Budget, the NSW Government allocated an additional $50 million towards Service NSW,” he said.
“We have three mobile service centres assisting regional communities, with a fourth expected to hit the road in the coming months.
“The Service NSW footprint continues to grow … and 10 more centres have been committed for metropolitan Sydney.
“Service NSW has a 97 per cent customer satisfaction rate and is committed to providing a world class experience for people regardless of where they live,” he said.