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The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its affiliated trade union, the South African Communication Union (SACU) are very concerned over reports of possible job losses at Telkom.  This comes just weeks after the two organisations reported disappointment on receiving the news of the resignation of Telkom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nombulelo "Pinky" Moholi.

Roy Kruger, technical adviser to communications minister Dina Pule, last week said that Telkom is set to stage a turnaround despite being overstaffed.  Kruger told reporters that, like all government entities, Telkom is overstaffed.  “The company has 22 000 people to support,” he says. “It’s not the most cost effective, and it could probably manage with a quarter of the staff.”  He also indicated that the Minister has submitted several proposals on the company’s future to cabinet, and that Cabinet will announce its decision in coming months.

“SACU is very concerned about these kinds of remarks.  Our members work hard to make Telkom a successful and well-run entity, and it is not good to hear such rumours threatening their job security,” said SACU General Secretary Karriem Abrahams.

“We share SACU’s concern,” echoed FEDUSA General Secretary Dennis George.  “I met with Karriem in Cape Town yesterday and we discussed this matter.  SACU members are artisans and managers with valuable skills and expertise, and we fear that these messages do not bode well for the future of this key role-player in our economy.  The sacking of the previous CEO and these remarks coming from the Minister’s office, to our minds, constitute a warning of imminent change.  Whether this change will be good, is, of course, doubted.  The mere fact that the Minister got rid of a very successful CEO makes us wonder if there are not ulterior motives with these changes,” concluded George.

FEDUSA previously called for the resignation of the Minister, after rumours about the Minister’s involvement in the resignation of the former CEO.  The Federation then reaffirmed its commitment to positive labour relations and constructive working relationships between employees and employers, stressing that it would be wrong for government ministers to interfere in these delicate interactions for ulterior reasons.