Suncorp Group is planning to send 71 back-office jobs offshore to India as part of a cost-cutting drive that could result in more job losses.

Indian company World Network Services will provide the services that were previously carried out in Australia.

A Suncorp spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au the group is “continuing to review a number of areas of the business. We’ve got a program called ‘Simplification’ that is about simplifying how we do business.”

He says the lost back-office jobs are spread throughout the business and it’s hoped new jobs can be found for displaced employees.

The move follows 50 layoffs by Suncorp last November and a number of new year job cut announcements in the financial services sector, including by ANZ and Westpac.

QBE has indicated it will be making changes in its claims area, but the jobs are expected to be shifted to the eastern states rather than go overseas.

“Following a challenging year, as with all insurers, we have made a number of changes to our operations,” the company said in a statement. “This continuous process will see some changes to our claims function. However, local claims representation will still be maintained in offices where it is currently delivered.”

Finance Sector Union national secretary Leon Carter says it’s “a complete and utter disgrace” that successful companies respond to tough times by sacking their workers.

“They have to repay the loyalty that staff have shown, or the Federal Government should step in to make successful companies invest in and protect Australian jobs,” he said.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg.”