Minister of communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has called on Telkom to explain why it has been reported that no consultation with the relevant unions has taken place regarding possible job cuts.
According to the Department of Communications, such consultation is required by law, and the monopoly must act according to the law.
This follows Telkom announcing it plans to go ahead with the retrenchments of about 4 100 workers over the next three years.
"Job creation and job retention is at the centre of government`s programme, and in his state of the nation address, President Mbeki said job creation is central to government`s programme for alleviating poverty and underdevelopment in the country," says Matsepe-Casaburri.
"It is important that appropriate conditions for job creation and job retention are created in order for us to appropriately address the challenges towards sustainable development and towards building our economy, and all government departments have a commitment to ensure this challenge is addressed."
Matsepe-Casaburri says the department recently met with the chairman of the board of Telkom, Nomazizi Mtshotshisa, its CEO, Sizwe Nxasana, and the company`s group executive for regulatory and public policy, Nkenke Kekana.
She says it was indicated at that meeting that only around 38 people were likely to be involuntarily retrenched, as many workers had agreed to voluntary retrenchment, reskilling and placement in other areas, subsidiaries or other institutions.
Last week, following action by three labour unions, the labour court told Telkom that it must postpone the implementation of voluntary severance and early retirement packages until consultation talks on the rationale to reduce staff numbers have been concluded between the company and its unions.
However, the company claimed it would be able to start implementing these packages from 14 September, whether or not it had reached agreement with organised labour by this date.
"Government is very concerned about the statement attributed to Telkom that the company will abide by the decision of the court but will still go ahead by 14 September with the planned voluntary retrenchments," the minister says.
"An explanation was requested and will be followed up with the chairman of the board when she returns from an overseas trip."
She says the department has also received a letter from the Communication Workers Union and is in the process of arranging a meeting with the union.
"With continuous engagement between ourselves, Telkom and the trade unions, we are confident that a workable solution to the issue of the retrenchments will be found," says Matsepe-Casaburri.
Telkom was still studying the department`s statement and formulating a response to it at the time of publication today.
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