British Council staff in Italy to strike over proposed 80% workforce cut
Summary
The British Council plans to cut about 80% of its teaching staff in Italy due to a serious funding problem caused by government loans and lower income after the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff will strike to protest these job losses, which would end English teaching by the Council in Italy after 80 years. The British Council is working to reduce costs and change its operations amid financial difficulties.Key Facts
- The British Council aims to reduce 108 out of 130 teaching jobs in Italy, affecting offices in Rome, Milan, and Naples.
- This would end 80 years of British Council English language teaching in Italy.
- Staff plan to strike and protest at the British embassy in Rome on two upcoming dates.
- The organization faces a £197 million loan from the UK government that must be repaid by September, with £14 million annual interest.
- The British Council operates in about 100 countries and promotes British culture and education worldwide.
- Financial problems have come from drops in teaching income, exams, and development contracts since COVID-19.
- The Council’s chief executive warned the organization could disappear within 10 years without government help.
- Similar job cuts and consultations are happening in other European countries like France, Spain, and Portugal.
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