Senate Panel Considers Call Center Measure

New Jersey lawmakers are considering penalizing companies that move call center jobs overseas.

The Senate Economic Growth Committee discussed the bill on Thursday, but didn't vote on it.

The measure would make companies that send call center jobs overseas ineligible for state grants, loans and tax benefits for three years.

The measure also requires call centers to notify the state labor commissioner when relocating overseas. That information would be available on the state labor commissioner's website.

The Assembly approved a similar measure in March. Union groups say Verizon's call center workforce in New Jersey has declined over the last 10 years, with most jobs sent overseas.

But a Verizon spokesman says any reduction is due to technological and business changes, and the company hasn't sent New Jersey jobs overseas.