Recent reports regarding Transnet’s alleged intentions to embark on a retrenchment process are completely inaccurate according to a statement released by the state-owned entity.
“Transnet is not contemplating any forced retrenchments,” said Transnet spokesperson, Molatwane Likhethe. “Any statement about retrenchments at Transnet is ill-advised, devoid of truth and may sow uncertainty among our employees.”
Likhethe noted that the reports were based on a statement issued by general secretary of the United National Transport Union, Steve Harris.
Harris had called on Transnet to “stop playing a game of cat and mouse with the fate of thousands of employees” following Transnet Human Capital general manager Tumelo Mokwana’s statement that the moratorium placed on filling non-critical vacancies at the company was only an interim measure.
“This does not make sense as Transnet has stated its intention to reduce its wage bill by R4 billion within the next three years,” said Harris. “To do so, the company is considering the reduction of 9 000 employees, with more than half of them working for Transnet Engineering.”
He also noted that this had been the motivation behind Transnet’s introduction of its voluntary severance package (VSP) offer to its employees.
However, Likhethe pointed out that Harris’ statements were based on an unofficial draft document that was superseded by the VSP process.
He added that the VSP process was completely voluntary and that Transnet had set no targets for it.
