Bnp Paribas Fortis CEO Sticks to Outsourcing Plans Despite Union Moves

Michael Anseeuw, CEO of the great sofa BNP Paribas Fortis, despite union opposition, does not intend to abandon its plan to transfer 500 employees to service provider Accenture. He states that it is not realistic to reconsider this decision.

A group of around 20 union representatives protested last Friday morning at the main entrance of the Flagey building in Ixelles, armed with a banner reading: “We are not for sale.” The cultural centre was the location for the press conference where BNP Paribas Fortis presented its 2024 results.

Anseeuw is facing union protests after announcing plans to transfer 500 employees to Accenture. However, he is sticking to his guns and has indicated that he will not give in. The CEO is pleased with the 2024 results, including the increased profitability of the bank's Belgian branch.

Protest and future actions

The protest is against plans announced in January to relocate 500 employees from the customer service center to Accenture, which have been badly received by the unions. Although a rare strike notice has been issued, this has not yet resulted in an actual strike. Actions have already taken place and more are planned for the coming week in Ghent and Antwerp.

Anseeuw sticks to his decision and states, when asked what concessions he is prepared to make to restore social peace, that he does not intend to give in. He does add that there will be consultations with the unions at the end of March, although he is not legally obliged to do so.

Efficiency improvements and cost savings

According to Anseeuw, the purpose of the transfer to Accenture is to improve efficiency, quality and productivity, which will ultimately have a positive effect on costs. The chance that the outsourcing to Accenture will be reversed, despite the dissatisfaction of the unions, is non-existent, according to Anseeuw.

Anseeuw did not comment on the plans of parent company BNP Paribas for Ageas. He is satisfied with the results of BNP Paribas Fortis in 2024, despite a slight drop in profits. However, the profit of the Belgian branch of the bank rose from 1,38 to 1,48 billion euros.

Questions & Answers

What are BNP Paribas Fortis' plans?

BNP Paribas Fortis CEO Michael Anseeuw has announced that he plans to transfer 500 employees to Accenture, a services provider.

How have the unions responded to these plans?

The unions have reacted negatively to the announcement, with actions already underway and more planned for the coming weeks.

What is the purpose of the transfer to Accenture?

According to Anseeuw, the aim of the transfer to Accenture is to improve efficiency, quality and productivity, which will ultimately result in a favorable impact on costs.