Telkom ordered to halt planned retrenchments

The Labour Court has ordered Telkom to halt its Section 189 process which deals with planned retrenchments at the company, reports Fin24. Telkom announced last month that it plans to cut more than 4 000 jobs and outsource more than 3 000 staff as part of an enterprise development programme. Solidarity took Telkom to the Labour Court in Johannesburg because the trade union alleged that the telecoms company has not disclosed enough information about the job cuts to unions. And, the report says, Judge David Gush has ruled in favour of Solidarity. Gush also ordered that Telkom must pay Solidarity’s legal costs. Marius Croucamp of Solidarity is quoted as saying that the Labour Court decision is a 'victory for workers'. Meanwhile, notes the report, Telkom spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan said the company is disappointed with the court’s decision but will respect the ruling. 'While today is a temporary delay, it does not stop the restructuring of Telkom,' she is quoted in the report as saying.