*CWU’s response to TELKOM’s Annual Results* * *
* * *14 June 2011* * * The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has noted with concern, but is not surprised at the dismal results of TELKOM as presented on 13 June 2011. The results are not unexpected since there is a continued decrease in the fixed line voice business due to the high uptake in mobile phones. The fact that data revenue is on the rise is indicative of the increase of more citizens having access to the internet. More needs to be done by TELKOM to ensure that the poor get access to broadband services, in particular in rural areas. The clarion call by President Zuma that 2011 has been declared “a year of job creation through meaningful economic transformation and inclusive growth”, is still fresh in our minds. We regard TELKOM as a strategic asset and we believe that it should contribute to the creation of decent jobs and stop subtle retrenchments through voluntary packages. Information, Communication and Technology sector is an enabler of economic development so obviously it makes sense that access to ICT’s should be biased to the poor and rural areas. The continued decrease in TELKOM’s value is worrying for CWU as it positions the operator for a takeover. Changes in the regulatory environment may have a negative impact on the job security of TELKOM’s workforce. ICASA as the regulator has a role to play in job creation. It must ensure that it does not only be an agent of globalization, but regulate the sector in such a way that it contributes to the developmental agenda. The pending local loop unbundling has the potential to put thousands of workers out of jobs if not managed correctly. We have indicated in the past that ICASA should also consider the effects of its regulations on the workforce and their families when making regulations. The Multi-Links saga must come to an end and the heads must roll of the advisors and decision-makers of this bad investment. CWU advised TELKOM and the government against the sale of its stake in VODACOM. We are watching TELKOM’s mobile arm, 8.ta very closely to see whether the R 1,1bn loss will change in the near future, especially in a highly competitive and saturated mobile market. The status of TELKOM being a listed state owned enterprise creates huge problems for the workers as well as the poor, because the pursuance of profit becomes more important than the developmental role that it has to play. The best option available for the South African public is for TELKOM to be nationalized to ensure it remains strategically biased towards the poor and the developmental objectives of the country. We don’t see other operators going into rural areas in the future because urban areas are money printing machines to them. Another matter that TELKOM must deal with is the issue of its racialised recognition agreements where white unions are being recognized at a far lower threshold than CWU. We are calling for an end to this practice immediately to avoid CWU members going to the streets. TELKOM’s management has once again paid gain sharing in a manner that undermines the union as a collective bargaining agent by paying this racially skewed bonus to employees unilaterally. * * *Contact:* * * * * *Matankana Mothapo, National Spokesperson - 0827590900* * * WebRep Overall rating -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
