THE FUTURE of Dundee-based Norwich Union employees facing relocation to Perth was discussed yesterday at Holyrood.

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick questioned the enterprise minister over the restructuring, which will result in 350 jobs being moved from the city.

Speaking at general question time, Mr FitzPatrick said, “In offering an enhanced package to encourage workers to re- locate to Perth, Norwich Union have recognised the high skill level of the Dundee workforce.

“The best way to ensure these skills are not lost to Dundee’s economy would be for another company to take over the Dundee call centre with its trained staff.

Jim Mather, the enterprise minister, said he would investigate the issue and look at the possibility of other companies’ opportunities for the call centre.

Commenting after the debate, Mr FitzPatrick said, “It makes sense to retain the skills of the workforce in the city if there is another employer who would be interested in taking over the call centre as a going concern.

“A similar operation was achieved with the Goldfish contact centre in Cumbernauld, which earlier this month was bought from Barclaycard by Scottish and Southern Energy, saving 800 jobs.”

Norwich Union Insurance plans to close down its general insurance operations in 13 centres across the UK, including its Dundee office at the Technology Park, by the end of 2010.

The company is set to close many of its branches, with UK-wide losses of between 1500 and 1800 jobs, as it looks to consolidate its general insurance operations into seven centres.

It is understood Norwich Union are to hold staff meetings in Dundee on the issue of relocation, and will be offering them travel packages.