IT firm reassures its staff over UK future post Brexit
TJG1ST THE Japanese IT firm Fujitsu has reassured its staff it is ‘committed to the UK’ after the Brexit vote sparked fears the company could pull out of the country and lead to job losses in Hayes.
The multinational company employs around 14,000 people across the country, many of whom are at the Hayes-based hub the Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe.
On September 5, Japan’s ambassador warned that Japanese businesses would consider pulling out of the country if ‘requests are not met’ in the Brexit deal, causing concerns over the future of Fujitsu in Hayes.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Susan Kramer said: “[Prime Minister] Theresa May promised that Britain was open for business but losing Japanese blue chip firms would be a massive act of self-harm by the Conservatives, and Hayes can ill afford to lose jobs.
“The Government must give urgent re-assurance to Fujitsu that Britain’s number one priority is to remain part of the Single Market to protect jobs and grow our economy.”
Her comments came shortly after the Japanese Ambassador to Britain, Koji Tsuruoka, said companies might consider leaving the UK if Brexit negotiations are not successful.
Mr Tsuruoka told BBC Radio 4 on Monday: “There is a negotiation that will have to be conducted. If there are variations, if those requests are not met, it will be up to the industry to decide what to do.”
However, he added that it was ‘very difficult to imagine’ Japanese firms like Fujitsu pulling out of the country entirely.
A spokesman for Fujitsu said: “We want to reiterate Fujitsu’s commitment to the UK, our UK customers and our UK employees.
“As the process of the UK’s withdrawal becomes clearer we will continue to monitor what it means for our business not just in the UK but across Europe.”
They added: “In the meantime our priority is to deliver the best possible results for our customers and to continue to grow our business, which I am confident we will do.”
Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell said he will be working to reassure businesses in Hayes and West Drayton.
Mr McDonnell, who is also Shadow Chancellor, said: “It’s become obvious to everyone now that the Government didn’t plan properly for a Leave vote, which is why there is so much uncertainty at the moment.
“The issue for us in Hayes is that we’re the logistical centre of Britain because of Heathrow and we can’t afford to lose companies such as Fujitsu that we have here.
“In the coming period I will be looking to reassure companies based in Hayes and West Drayton that in the negotiations that are now taking place with our European partners that Labour will be pushing the Government to get the best deal we possibly can to remain open to business.”