Ikanbi Belgium Faces Job Cuts as TotalEnergies Ends Contract
Ikanbi Belgium has lost a contract with the energy company TotalEnergies, putting up to 150 jobs at risk at its Liège call centre unless it manages to find new customers. The news was confirmed by the socialist trade union following reports from the French-language public broadcaster RTBF. Once the contract with TotalEnergies expires at the end of the year, inquiries in French will be redirected to Morocco, while Dutch calls will continue in Belgium, albeit handled by a different provider, reports 24brussels.
The socialist trade union indicated that approximately 150 employees at Ikanbi work on the TotalEnergies contract, which includes around 50 permanent staff and 100 temporary workers. Their roles involve assisting customers with their bills, negotiating contracts, and managing adjustments to meter readings.
“The activity is under threat from artificial intelligence and digitisation, and Belgian customers want ever lower costs,” said Patrick Masson, a union representative.
“We will try to save as many jobs as possible by finding new customers within the next four months,” Masson added. He expressed concerns that TotalEnergies’ decision could set a precedent, with other large companies potentially following suit.
This development underscores a broader trend in the industry, where call centres grapple with the pressures of technological advancements and competitive pricing demands from clients. The future of Ikanbi and its workforce hangs in the balance as they seek alternative contracts to mitigate the impending layoffs.
