Telkom dismisses speculation of 13 000 retrenchments

The company recently announced voluntary separation and voluntary early retirement process to its employees.

After the VSP and VERP window period closes, the Company may embark on retrenchment.

Telkom says it is aware of speculation regarding retrenchment of some 13 000 employees  - but has dismissed those claims, saying no such decision has been taken.

The company recently announced voluntary separation and voluntary early retirement process to its employees which emphasised that the decision to apply for a package is at the sole discretion of every employee.

According to Telkom, no employee is obligated to invoke this offer.

“Importantly, this is not a Section 189 process in disguise and this is not the first time Telkom has made this offer available to all categories of employees. Furthermore the outcome of this process will not be assessed on the reduction of the number of employees, but on the overall impact of the Company’s cost structure. This will be monitored continuously throughout the process to ensure that the Company reaches the desired state of cost efficiency,” Telkom said in a statement.

Following formal consultation with internal and external stakeholders, including the three recognised trade unions – Communication Workers Union (CWU), South African Communication Union (SACU) and Solidarity - Telkom announced to its employees that management and bargaining unit staff will be afforded the opportunity of applying for voluntary severance (VSPs) and early retirement packages (VERPs) from 15 March 2013 until 31 August 2013.

After the VSP and VERP window period closes, and if the process has not achieved the desired results, the company may embark on retrenchments.