Vodafone's technology subsidiary reduces the number of affected employees by 27.8% in the ERE, from 180 to 130, which is 14.4% of its workforce of 900 people. The agreement includes a pension plan for those over 55 and a 3% salary increase in 2027.
Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS), the technology and shared services division of the Vodafone group, has concluded negotiations on its employment regulation file (ERE) with 130 layoffs, down from the maximum of 180 initially proposed. The reduction is 27.8% and affects 14.4% of a workforce of around 900 professionals in Spain, as reported by STC-Fetico after the negotiation period ended on Tuesday, October 6, as noted by forbes.es.
The union will present the proposed agreement to its assembly for a vote by members. The preliminary agreement includes several measures to mitigate the impact of the process and improve the conditions of the exits.
The main point is a pension plan for workers aged 55 or older with at least ten years of service as of December 31, 2026. The benefits amount to 80% of the net fixed salary and 50% of the net variable salary, with an annual revaluation of 1.2% starting from 2028.
For those who do not opt for the pension plan, the agreed compensation is 45 days of salary per year of service, capped at 720 days. An additional payment of 5,000 euros is included for annual fixed salaries equal to or less than 40,000 euros.
As part of the negotiations, the parties have also agreed to extend the collective agreement by one year and implement a salary increase of 3% for 2027, effective from July 1 of that year.
“We cannot overlook that we are talking about job destruction in an activity linked to technology consulting, with quality jobs that are, in many cases, highly qualified. Precisely for this reason, we have negotiated until the last moment to minimise the impact on the workforce and achieve the best possible conditions, especially in aspects such as voluntariness, measures aimed at those over 55, and improving severance pay,” highlighted the General Secretary of the STC Federation, Manuela Gómez.
The proposal establishes voluntary adherence as the primary criterion for determining those affected and limits forced layoffs to 130 if sufficient voluntary agreements are not reached. Beyond that limit, exits can only be voluntary.
VOIS will prioritise internal relocation over external hiring when equivalent profiles exist. A Monitoring Commission will be established with union participation to analyse vacancy requests, reasons for rejection, voluntary agreements, and the execution of layoffs.
VOIS is the R&D firm that remained linked to the Vodafone group after the sale of Vodafone Spain to the British fund Zegona, a deal completed in May 2024 for 5 billion euros. Its main headquarters is in its hub in Málaga.
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