Cell C, South Africa’s third mobile network operator, has informed some of its employees that they could be retrenched. This comes as it embarks on a restructuring process.
Trade union Solidarity said on Friday that this could affect as many as 190 of Cell C’s 1 458 employees.
According to the union, letters sent to Cell C employees state that the company plans to finalise the process by 31 January 2015.
Its says that the company mentions the possibility of severance pay amounting to one week’s remuneration for every year of service.
Solidarity organiser Linda Senekal says the union will do everything in their power to limit the impact of the retrenchment process on members.
“We are especially concerned about the emotional impact of the retrenchments on our members. We are still mourning the tragic loss of one of our members at Cell C, André Ankiewicz, who committed suicide in May 2012 after he received a retrenchment notice from Cell C.”
Cell C, meanwhile, has confirmed that it is in the “process of consultation in respect of possible retrenchments consequent to restructuring in certain areas of the company”.
Cell C confirms that this could affect up to 190 employees, but says some staff could be redeployed.
“We wish to confirm that the process followed is in line with the Labour Relations Act. Furthermore, the company is acting responsibly and will do everything in its power to support those affected by this process.”
Source: TechCentral