The trade union Unite will consult more than 300 members on taking industrial action

Workers at Amnesty International are being balloted on strike action.

The trade union Unite will consult more than 300 members on taking industrial action.

This has been sparked by the NGO’s decision to make up to 20 staff redundant.

It is part of cost-cutting measures to address a £17 million shortfall in its budget.

Amnesty has scaled back its redundancy proposals – originally it had earmarked 95 roles for the chop - but the union has still said it will take action.

The organisation has been through a difficult period recently.

A damning report in February uncovered a “toxic” and “adversarial” working environment at the human rights group, which contributed to physical and mental health issues in a third of its staff.

It was also rocked by the suicide of two members of staff – reviews cited isues with workload in both cases.

A statement from Unite said: "Unite members still intend to ballot for industrial action over the planned redundancies at Amnesty.

"The final preparations on what is a complicated and convoluted process in order to hold a formal ballot are currently being made."

An Amnesty spokeswoman said: "We fully recognise and support Amnesty International employees’ right to strike."