MTN RETRENCHMENTS: TRADE UNION INTERVENES

Solidarity will meet with MTN over retrenchment notices issued to 847 managerial staff last week. JOHANNESBURG – Trade union Solidarity says it will meet cellphone giant MTN regarding its planned layoffs. The trade union says MTN issued retrenchment notices to 847 managerial staff on Friday, due to the drop in revenue and a significant fall in market share.

It’s believed an attachment to the notice states that MTN plans to issue the final notice to employees on 1 October.
Solidarity’s Marius Croucamp says, “We believe that the company should enter into consultation with us. The company has failed to inform employees that those who belong to registered trade unions, have the right to be represented by the trade unions. Subsequently, we have been in contact with MTN and they have undertaken to meet with us as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile MTN’s Themba Nyathi says it hasn’t decided how many jobs will be shed but has begun restructuring. “The type of skills that we require going forward to service the customers better are totally different to what we have done. We’re realigning our business with what the market requires.