Convergys call centre to lay off 130 employees in Dartmouth by end of the year

HALIFAX – About 130 staff at an American-owned call centre in Dartmouth will lose their jobs by the end of the year.

A spokeswoman for Convergys says the company’s call centre in Dartmouth will close on Dec. 31.

Brooke Beiting says a major client of Convergys has decided to shift its work elsewhere, though she declined to say where that will be.

Beiting says the call centre received payroll rebates for five years from the provincial government between 1998 and 2003 in return for creating jobs.

Nova Scotia Business Inc., a provincial Crown agency mandated to encourage business development, announced payroll rebates to help the company open call centres in Truro and Cornwallis in 2004, but both facilities were closed by 2010.

The company still operates a call centre in New Glasgow.

Convergys provides assistance to customers of major telecommunications firms.

Premier Stephen McNeil tells News 95.7 anytime people in Nova Scotia lose their jobs, there is always concern for those affected.

“We have to get motivated and energize the private sector in this province to create jobs,” explained McNeil.

He says there is no doubt it’s going to be an uphill battle, but adds there is tremendous opportunity in the province.

Opposition leader Jamie Baillie says he’s disappointed to hear the news, and encourages the new Liberal government to prove they are different from previous governments when it comes to job creation.

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