MTN responds to violent strikes
FAIRLAND – MTN impresses upon strikers that violence is not the answer.
Strikes by employees and other participants at the MTN Head Office on 14th Avenue have created turmoil in the area.
MTN senior manager for public relations and communications Bridget Bhengu said, “MTN has reaffirmed its commitment toward putting contingency measures in place to minimise disruptions at its operation.” The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) had demanded an eight per cent bonus payment.
Later MTN agreed and added a further four per cent increase for 2016, thus making the offer of 12 per cent to the workers.
In a previous story, further allegations were made by two MTN workers, Karabo Motloung and Tshegofatso Mokoena, “We want the temporary workers to be made permanent.” (See the previous story dating May 20, VIDEO: MTN employees down tools. MTN responded, “MTN emphatically rejects the allegation that it employs casual workers. The non-MTN staff are employees working for third party vendors.”
Complaints went to the extent of: “We also have issues with the different shifts, when you work on Sundays or public holidays, you are supposed to be paid double but they don’t do that,” said Motloung and Mokoena.
According to Bhengu, MTN has been paying their employees, who work Sundays and public holidays, in accordance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Numerous complaints have surfaced on social media about sudden poor service by MTN.
https://twitter.com/CiindyTea/status/612908582607130624
https://twitter.com/Duc1357/status/612902682328727553
#MTNstrike. This is unfair to us as customers because we buy a airtime hoping that we will be given a wow bonus
— Thulisile (@thulisine3) June 19, 2015
The Mtn board is being disrespectful to its customers and to the workers. How are we supposed to make calls and report issues? #MTNstrike
— Sims (@S_Momoza) June 17, 2015
MTN South Africa chief human resources officer Themba Nyathi said, “We have put contingency measures in place to minimise disruptions and we are continuously improving on these interventions to improve the quality of service we offer to our customers.”
MTN secured a court interdict that restrains any striking employees or participants from coming within 100m of the building. This was to ensure the safety of their customers and staff.
Since then, a motorist was attacked on 22 June by one of the strikers near the MTN Head Office building.
“The unintended consequence of the interdict was that the strikers vented their frustrations on innocent motorists who had nothing to do with the dispute,” said Nyathi. MTN said they have a strong contingent with law officials. JMPD and SAPS have confirmed that they have constant presence in the area.
