STAFF at a global washing machine company with UK headquarters in Oxfordshire are willing to protest to stop up to 100 redundancies being made.

Miele GB, which has its customer service contact centre in Abingdon, announced to employees last week plans to relocate the work to an external firm based in Thessaloniki in Greece.

The German company, which manufactures low-cost domestic appliances, did not confirm how many people will be laid off as part of the transfer.

However, a Miele employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said that up to 100 local jobs will be lost.

ALSO READ: Miele admits it has axed jobs

They added: "They have allowed us to graft over the pandemic and carry the business only to be rewarded with redundancy.

"I believe this will outrage our customers and needs to be widely spread.

"There are also talks about protests taking place to stop the transfer."

A statement from the company to the Oxford Mail confirmed that all customer contact centre employees at the Abingdon site will be 'potentially impacted' by the new proposal.

They are set to participate in a full 30-day consultation programme, with the proposal allowing for new roles to be created, which will be open to existing employees to apply for.

A statement from Miele explained that only after the consultation process has been completed, the company will reveal which roles within the centre will be affected.

ALSO READ: People advised not to leave Oxford as city becomes Covid hotspot

A leaked email from the company's North West Europe regional service director Emma Pamplin said that Miele will have 'no requirement for employees based in the UK', and that if people wished to transfer to Greece, it will be 'on Greek terms'.

It also listed support available to employees in the form of retention bonuses, 'reasonable' time off to look for work, one-to-one support from line managers, wellbeing support and support from mental health first aiders.

John Pickering, managing director for Miele GB, commented: "I understand that this announcement will create considerable uncertainly for our colleagues.

"We are absolutely committed to helping everyone who is affected with a full employee support programme."

ALSO READ: More walk-in Covid vaccine clinics open in Oxford and Banbury

The moves comes nearly a year after the company terminated the contracts of a number of agency workers following financial difficulties during the Covid-19 crisis.

At the time, Mr Pickering attributed the controversial move to a 'global review of all aspects of its operations' that Miele was embarking on.

He added this included efficiency and resourcing, to ensure the long-term success of the company.