Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS) has announced plans for collective layoffs that could affect up to 180 employees in Spain, about one in five staff. Unions are pushing back, demanding evidence for the cuts. Negotiations begin in September.
Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS) has unsettled its Spanish workforce by announcing a collective redundancy plan that could see up to 180 jobs cut—roughly 20% of its 900 employees. The Málaga office, a major technology hub for Vodafone Group, now faces weeks of uncertainty as formal talks are set to begin on September 9.
Union representatives from UGT and STC-Fetico have rejected the scale of the proposed layoffs, saying the company has not provided enough justification for such a large reduction. Both unions are demanding a detailed report and technical documentation explaining the economic, technical, organizational, or production reasons behind the plan. Until they receive this information, they refuse to discuss any list of affected employees or accept the need for the cuts.
The collective dismissal procedure launched by VOIS could affect all offices and business lines in Spain, not just the Málaga center.
At this stage, the figure of 180 is a maximum. No final list has been drawn up, and unions are pressing for alternatives such as voluntary departures, internal transfers, or reducing the number of layoffs. The negotiation process is meant to push the company to consider every possible way to avoid or limit dismissals, including better severance, retraining, or redeployment.
VOIS provides technology, cybersecurity, analytics, and digital transformation services to Vodafone Group. It is not part of the recent Zegona acquisition of Vodafone España and continues to operate under the British parent company, with its main base in Málaga and a presence in other Spanish cities.
UGT, the main union at VOIS Spain, has questioned the need for layoffs, pointing to what it describes as a steady workload and ongoing demand for the division’s services. STC-Fetico has echoed these concerns and is calling for the redundancy plan to be withdrawn unless the company can prove its necessity with clear evidence.
According to coverage by Democrata and Okdiario, as of now, neither the unions nor the workforce have received the explanatory note or technical report from VOIS management that would justify the layoffs. Both sources confirm that the number 180 is a maximum and not a finalized list, and that unions are demanding the company first consider voluntary exits, internal transfers, or softer exit terms before any dismissals are finalized.
Spanish law requires a formal consultation period with worker representatives before any collective dismissal. This process must address the reasons for the layoffs and look for ways to reduce their impact. Negotiations can cover severance, retraining, internal mobility, and criteria for selecting who stays and who goes. If layoffs go ahead, each affected employee will receive individual notice and at least 20 days’ pay per year of service, capped at twelve months, though settlements can improve on this minimum.
Employees have the right to challenge their dismissal within twenty working days of notification. Signing a severance agreement as “not in agreement” preserves their right to contest the terms. Eligibility for unemployment benefits depends on accumulated contributions, and it is important to distinguish between compensation for justified and unjustified dismissals. For more on Spanish labor rights, see the earlier breakdown of a Supreme Court ruling on worker seniority.
What is unusual in this case is the lack of transparency from VOIS management. Announcing a possible 20% workforce cut without first presenting clear evidence or reasons has unsettled staff and unions. The unions’ refusal to accept the plan without documentation is a direct challenge to the company’s approach. Until VOIS provides the requested information, the company risks damaging trust and morale among employees and in the wider tech sector. For now, hundreds of workers remain in limbo, waiting for answers that have yet to arrive.
