Fujitsu cut backs to hit Northern Ireland workforce

There are fears for dozens of jobs in Northern Ireland as the Japanese electronics firm Fujitsu announce major cutbacks.

The company wants to slash up to 1,800 jobs from its 14-thousand strong workforce across the UK.

Futitsu currently employ around 800 staff at sites in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry. 

The firm has also received significant financial backing from Invest NI. 

In a statement to QRadio it was confirmed that Northern Irish jobs would likely be lost, but it's unclear how many. 

Staff will be consulted in the coming weeks with the job losses expected over the next 18 months. 

Fujitsu bosses insist the cut backs here are not linked to BREXIT. 

Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said:  “This is a worrying time for staff at Fujitsu in Belfast and Londonderry.

" I have spoken to Fujitsu management today and intend to engage with senior decision makers in Japan in the days and weeks ahead to emphasise to them the highly skilled workforce that exists in Northern Ireland as well as the competitive costs and strong Government support that makes our region a good place for their company to continue to invest in."