SINGAPORE - British broadcaster BBC has told 12 staff in its Singapore bureau to re-apply for new roles after closing their positions.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, a BBC spokesperson said the move is part of plans to revamp its service across the world.
The spokesperson said: “Last year, BBC News announced changes to the news channel to deliver a better round-the-clock service for audiences live from London, Washington DC, Sydney and Singapore.
“The operational changes in the BBC News Singapore bureau are part of this plan and will ensure there is a greater focus on live and breaking news both for and from the region.”
Affected staff have been given the chance to compete with external candidates for 11 new roles but were also told that they could be retrenched.
This means that at least one staff member will be laid off by the end of the recruitment exercise.
The exercise will create roles in the bureau’s News Channel team, which handles broadcast television news, and restructure its Work and Money team, which is responsible for the outlet’s business coverage across the Asia-Pacific.
Singapore has been home to BBC’s Asia headquarters since 2000, when the broadcaster decided to move from Hong Kong after decades in the former British colony.
Checks by ST of job portals found advertisements for full-time positions comprising six journalists, a producer, and a news editor. Interviews for the roles start in late February.
The latest move follows a similar practice at global banking giant HSBC, which asked hundreds of managers to re-apply for jobs.
Offering existing employees the opportunity to re-apply for new roles is a way for companies to redeploy them and minimise the need for retrenchments, said Ms Linda Teo, country manager of workforce solutions firm ManpowerGroup Singapore.
She said offering employees the chance to re-apply for new roles aligns with Singapore’s guidelines on managing excess manpower and responsible retrenchment, which advises companies to explore alternatives to laying off workers.
Ms Teo said: “To ensure a smooth transition and minimise the impact of potential job losses, employers are advised to proactively look ahead and identify jobs that may be at risk and the skills that are likely to be in-demand in the next three to five years.
“Employers are encouraged to stay updated on the latest trends, including technological advancements, market changes, or strategic shifts and take ...