HSBC UK’s Swatar call centre to close in June 2024, loss of 200 workers

On Thursday, workers at the HSBC UK call centre in Swatar were informed that the branch will be permanently closed in June 2024. This will result in the loss of around 200 jobs.

HSBC Global Services (UK) Limited Malta Branch (HSMB), locally known as HSBC Swatar Contact Centre, is poised to close following an “extensive review of the locations that serve HSBC UK Bank plc customers”, a statement from the bank confirmed.

“The closure aims to achieve further consolidation and rationalisation of regional contact centres,” it continued.

HSMB employs around 200 people, who will be subject to its redundancy policies. In its statement, HSMB said it will support the employees as they explore alternative work opportunities.

Additionally, local authorities have also held discussions to explore the possibility of impacted employees moving to “new opportunities at other local contact centres”, HSBC UK added.

An Economy Ministry statement issued following the announcement confirmed it contacted a number of operators in the area who "have a large number of related unfilled workplaces".

In a bid to stave off panic, the Ministry added it will be serving as an interlocutor between the soon to be made redundant workers and private companies with similar job opportunities. It also said:

"The latest Eurostat reports show that there is currently a shortage of 7,051 workers in our private industry. This is while our country has the lowest unemployment rate across Europe. This climate therefore offers an opportunity for the market to absorb these workers."

There will be no impact on HSBC Bank Malta plc’s operations, as it is a completely separate entity.

According to a report from the Times of Malta, workers at the call centre were informed by the bank on Thursday (today) afternoon that it is set to shut down the centre. This comes as part of a “wider restructuring exercise to streamline its operations”. It reportedly came after the company had a specially convened meeting.

The centre was established in Malta in November 2006 and forms part of the UK network of contact centres for HSBC supporting customers with UK accounts.