Published Monday, 13 February 2012
HCL has announced a 90-day consultation period on proposals to close its contact centre in Armagh and to reduce employment in its Belfast contact centre.
The proposals involve up to 425 people being put at risk of redundancy, including 170 in Armagh.
HCL said it expects to find alternative employment for around 40% of its former staff - however a total of around 255 are expected to go.
That would be almost one third of the firm's 800-strong workforce.
Anita Barnard from the company said: "As a responsible employer, we are committed to retain and retrain as many of the affected employees as possible.
"During the consultation period we will engage with each employee affected to look at ways we can assist them gain alternative employment within and outside HCL."
HCL has been based in Northern Ireland since 2002.
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster says she is disappointed to hear news of the potential closure and job losses.
"This is a dreadful blow to those affected and my thoughts are with them and their families," the DUP minister said.
"It is a worrying time for everyone and whilst I appreciate the headline figures are shocking, I am somewhat encouraged by the commitment of HCL to try and redeploy 40% of those affected, thereby mitigating the impact of today's announcement."
Ms Foster is "reassured" that the announcement is a reaction to wider economic circumstances and "in no way questions HCL's longer term commitment to NI".
She continued: "This announcement is a reflection of the ongoing impact of the global economic downturn.
"Belfast is one of HCL's UK Centres of Excellence for Customer Experience Management and I welcome their commitment to develop this further which would enable them to sustain and grow employment in Northern Ireland over time."