/ 5 September 2004

Telkom to cut 7 000 jobs, says union

Solidarity says Telkom is planning to shed more than 7 000 jobs over the next three years and not 4 100 as it has been claiming.

In a statement released on Saturday, Solidarity spokesperson Dirk Hermann said a commission of enquiry into proposed job cuts at Telkom had found that 7 600 jobs would be shed.

The commission was appointed by three trade unions: Solidarity, the Communication Workers’ Union and the South African Communications Union.

Herman said the new figure was obtained from Telkom after the commission requested more information concerning the planned retrenchments in Telkom.

Telkom spokesperson Ravin Maharaj said the company had not formally received a copy of the report.

”Until we have seen it and analysed it we cannot respond. We rather wait for the report and then comment,” he said.

The report will be released on Tuesday.

Herman said the report proposed a new growth model for Telkom.

”Our aim with the report is to find a solution that will have long term advantages for Telkom’s employees, its shareholders and the pockets of the public.” – Sapa