Angus employer Halliburton makes scores of redundancies

NORTH SEA: Around 160 jobs cut in Scotland with staff in Montrose affected

An oilfield services firm has been heavily criticised for rejecting a coronavirus furlough scheme as it makes scores of North Sea redundancies.

US Halliburton, which has a number of operations and manufacturing bases in Scotland, is understood to have cut around 160 jobs, mostly in Aberdeen and Peterhead.

It is thought the firm’s base in Montrose has also experienced a handful of redundancies.

It is understood Halliburton has placed affected workers into consultation without the option of the UK Government’s furlough scheme.

One Aberdeen MSP called the decision “a slap in the face” and called for Halliburton to act to protect employees.

The US firm, which has its UK headquarters in Aberdeen, employs hundreds of workers in the north-east of Scotland, including premises in Arbroath.

Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart said: “It is absolutely galling that Halliburton are not accessing the furlough scheme that has been put in place to support companies and their staff.

“Halliburton are a multinational company, that has made huge amounts of money from the North Sea thanks to the efforts of their loyal staff.

“It is now time for Halliburton to reciprocate that loyalty by accessing the furlough scheme to support their workforce.

“To do anything less would be a slap in the face for their employees, their families and the north-east of Scotland.”

Earlier this month, an email sent to Halliburton employees by chief executive Jeff Miller said it would “significantly reduce” its workforce.

The firm blamed the oil price drop and the Covid-19 outbreak alongside customers slashing costs and the declining rig count.

It comes after the oilfield services firm decided to furlough 3,500 employees in the US last month.

Halliburton did not respond to a request for comment.

Halliburton operates sites in Arbroath and Montrose.