/ 31 May 2012

Man commits suicide after Cell C retrenchment

Cell C is planning to lay off around 150 employees of its total workforce.
Cell C is planning to lay off around 150 employees of its total workforce.

Solidarity has demanded that the company halt further retrenchments and consult with unions representing members who could be affected by the process.

According to media reports, Cell C is planning to lay off around 150 employees of its total workforce of 1 288 as part of a restructuring programme aimed at improving the company’s efficiency.

Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp said Cell C had not made an attempt to consult with the trade union over the retrenchments as set forward in section 189 of the Labour Relations Act.

“Trade unions play a crucial role in retrenchments. Solidarity follows a set plan of action in terms of which certain guidelines and methods are applied to minimise the effects of retrenchments and possibilities are explored to avert retrenchments,” Croucamp said.

“Cell C apparently acted hastily in starting to consult with employees over the planned retrenchments and failed to take the emotional impact a retrenchment notice has on employees into consideration. The company’s actions have probably already led to the unnecessary death of an employee,” he added.