An estimated 100 jobs at insurer Axa are under threat in a shake-up of the group’s Irish business.

It has emerged the company told workers in Dublin this week that it was moving a number of jobs to Derry in a consolidation of some of its operations.

Axa confirmed that the move would result in a number of “net job losses” but refused to specify the actual amount, instead saying that it would be a small number.

Up to 100 jobs could be under threat in Dublin, and while the company will hire extra people in Derry, it is unlikely to match the number lost.

In a statement, Axa said it had decided to consolidate some of its operations, which would involve relocating jobs from Dublin to Derry.

Voluntary redundancies

The company would not say if it was prepared to consider allowing workers in its Dublin operation to relocate to Derry. However, it indicated that where possible, redundancies would be voluntary.

The group refused to comment further on the grounds that talks with unions are ongoing. Siptu and Unite confirmed yesterday that they would demand that the company maintain all existing jobs.

Siptu organiser Peadar Kearney said Axa had confirmed that shifting some activities to Derry from Dublin would result in job losses.

Intensive negotiations

“Over the coming days, Siptu representatives will be engaging in intensive negotiations with management along with our colleagues in Unite,” he said.

“Our aim will be to impress on the company the need to engage with a view to considering all options available to retain existing jobs.”

Mr Kearney said if this was not possible, the union would work to ensure that any job losses were voluntary and on the best terms possible for the people affected.

Axa’s global operations earned profits of more than €3 billion in the first six months of 2015. The group is not yet due to publish its final results for the full year.

The French group also said yesterday that it was gearing up to target consumers in emerging markets.