BP to slash 300 local jobs

At least 300 people are set to lose their jobs as global energy company BP cuts costs at its Australian business.

A spokesman for BP told BusinessDay: "I can confirm there will be significant job losses."

He said that although Australia was still considered a growth market, over the past few years it had become uncompetitive.

The 600-odd employees at BP's headquarters in Melbourne were told of the job cuts on Wednesday, the spokesman said. Exact numbers have not been confirmed although the cuts at the headquarters are estimated to be about 150.

Staff at BP subsidiary Elite Customer Solutions were told that 30 per cent of their jobs would be made redundant and sent overseas. There are about 530 employees at Elite, which manages fuel deliveries to BP service stations, as well as doing sales, marketing and accounts for BP.

At least one team has been moved offshore from Elite. Others have been told they could reapply for a reduced number of jobs and would know by March if they could stay.

It is not known to where the jobs have been sent, although there is speculation they will go to Bangalore or Manila. Previous work has been sent to Kuala Lumpur.