2,393 employees set to leave Telkom

·31 Jul 2015

Trade union Solidarity said that Telkom has accepted a total of 2,393 applications for voluntary severance packages.

According to the trade union the services from these employees will officially end on 31 July 2015.

Marius Croucamp, head of Solidarity’s Communications Industry, said that the number of applications comes as no surprise to the union.

“Given the volatile climate within Telkom, we anticipated that a significant amount of employees would prefer to leave the company,” said Croucamp.

“Nonetheless, we remain highly concerned about the exodus of skilled Telkom workers and how this will affect the company’s future endeavours and delivery of services.”

“Tomorrow we say goodbye to most of the almost 2,400 employees who have opted for a VSP or VERP, and who will now proceed along a new path outside Telkom,” said Telkom CEO, Sipho Maseko in a letter to staff on Thursday (30 July).

“I speak on behalf of my team, and indeed the people of Telkom, when I say “thank you”. Thank you for serving the company in good times and bad. Thank you for standing firm during times of expansive change. Thank you for your role in moving Telkom forward. I know that especially the long-time employees take leave of Telkom with a lifetime of memories. Whatever your recollections of Telkom, never lose sight of the fact that this organisation has achieved remarkable things. You were part of it; you helped make it happen. Be proud.

“I want to wish you everything of the best as you start a new phase of your life, be it a new career as a full-time employee, an entrepreneurial adventure or a well-deserved retirement. Use your skills. Draw on your experience. Above all, believe in yourself.”