Guilty for being white at Telkom

·8 Jul 2014

Trade union Solidarity has launched a campaign against Telkom, accusing the group of carrying out large-scale retrenchments where race is used as a criterion.

Solidarity has launched a website called Racekom.co.za, claiming: “If you work at Telkom, and you are white, you are guilty! Guilty, because you’re the wrong race and you’re costing the company BEE points.”

The union said that Telkom is carrying out large-scale retrenchments where race is used as a criterion. “Forget about the years of loyal service, your qualifications and the positive contribution you make,” it said.

Solidarity said it has already lodged documents with the Labour Court to put a stop to Telkom’s race-based retrenchments.

The trade union wants to mobilise as many South Africans and, in particular, Telkom clients to send thousands of petition letters to the CEO of Telkom, Sipho Maseko, in order to have this unacceptable criterion for retrenchment withdrawn.

It noted on its Twitter account on Tuesday (7 July): ‘Courts have made it clear. Affirmative action is not, and never has been a legitimate ground for retrenchment.’

The group used the following hashtags #raskom #Solidariteit.

It said it was concerned that ‘no other factor is taken into consideration other than racial demographics’.

Telkom did not immediately respond to an email sent by BusinessTech.

The group, however, has said it would consider qualifications and experience in restructuring and underlined that employment equity – the racial mix of its workforce – was only “one of the four criteria that will be applied” as it looks to streamline its business, and cut current employment costs.

Solidarity said it is prepared to take the matter to the Constitutional court, with as many as 2,600 Telkom employees set to be affected by the telco’s retrenchment plans.