Peapod
27-05-2005, 09:35 AM
I know we dont all agree with what COSATU do or stand for, but personally I feel they are best placed to take Telkom to task on their labour policy. Perhaps this will spark meaningful debate. Perhaps this will cause COSATU to change their view on telecomms regulations in SA. Perhaps this will be the start of something big. Perhaps I will get taken out by a taxi or a Hellkom van.....
Dear COSATU
Perhaps this information may help you in your endeavours to bring lasting and meaningful change to labour in South Africa.
From the TELKOM United States Securities and Exchange Commission Filing of 2004
Telkom report.....We intend to continue to reduce our fixed-line headcount over the next few years. Our ability to implement optimal employee reductions is limited by South African labor laws. In addition, legal requirements make such reductions costly. We also face pressure from labor unions in South Africa who oppose employee reductions and may encounter resistance from the Government of the Republic of South Africa if the reductions conflict with the Government's social objectives at the time. If we are unable to reduce the number of our fixed-line employees and employee expenses or if significant labor unrest results from implementation of our fixed-line employee reduction program, our ability to compete may be harmed and our net profit could decline.
The government have clearly done nothing (and why should they – they own a large chunk of Telkom. Telkom made over 12 million rand a DAY in 2004, and for the government, revenue is revenue.) Telkom have to date lowered their headcount by around 30 thousand people. This is because they refuse to install or maintain fixed line services in areas where revenues cannot be maximised – in other words, disadvantaged areas. They have a stranglehold on telecommunications and it seems a stranglehold on real development for our nation.
I beg you to take them to task.
In my opinion (and it is shared by many) we have to deregulate Telecomms (initially) in order to break this death grip that Telkom have on our country. The Government is mute, ICASA impotent and Telkom just do what they damn well please.
Please have a look at the forum www.myadsl.co.za and see what over 4000 South Africans feel about the telecoms industry. I don’t think there is an active consumer group as large as this forum. I think we can bring about real change but we need organisations such as yours to actively target those who blatantly get away with actions such as this. It is outrageous that Telkom can make a public statement like this in defence of profit. What happened I wonder to the fixed line operatives who found themselves out of work, back in Alex or Khayelitsha or Mitchells Plain with not even a basic bloody telephone to find another job with? No defence, no recourse, no body to stand up for them because the IMPACT ON PROFIT would be too high!
I remain yours faithfully
Dear COSATU
Perhaps this information may help you in your endeavours to bring lasting and meaningful change to labour in South Africa.
From the TELKOM United States Securities and Exchange Commission Filing of 2004
Telkom report.....We intend to continue to reduce our fixed-line headcount over the next few years. Our ability to implement optimal employee reductions is limited by South African labor laws. In addition, legal requirements make such reductions costly. We also face pressure from labor unions in South Africa who oppose employee reductions and may encounter resistance from the Government of the Republic of South Africa if the reductions conflict with the Government's social objectives at the time. If we are unable to reduce the number of our fixed-line employees and employee expenses or if significant labor unrest results from implementation of our fixed-line employee reduction program, our ability to compete may be harmed and our net profit could decline.
The government have clearly done nothing (and why should they – they own a large chunk of Telkom. Telkom made over 12 million rand a DAY in 2004, and for the government, revenue is revenue.) Telkom have to date lowered their headcount by around 30 thousand people. This is because they refuse to install or maintain fixed line services in areas where revenues cannot be maximised – in other words, disadvantaged areas. They have a stranglehold on telecommunications and it seems a stranglehold on real development for our nation.
I beg you to take them to task.
In my opinion (and it is shared by many) we have to deregulate Telecomms (initially) in order to break this death grip that Telkom have on our country. The Government is mute, ICASA impotent and Telkom just do what they damn well please.
Please have a look at the forum www.myadsl.co.za and see what over 4000 South Africans feel about the telecoms industry. I don’t think there is an active consumer group as large as this forum. I think we can bring about real change but we need organisations such as yours to actively target those who blatantly get away with actions such as this. It is outrageous that Telkom can make a public statement like this in defence of profit. What happened I wonder to the fixed line operatives who found themselves out of work, back in Alex or Khayelitsha or Mitchells Plain with not even a basic bloody telephone to find another job with? No defence, no recourse, no body to stand up for them because the IMPACT ON PROFIT would be too high!
I remain yours faithfully