Telkom Redundant Employees To Be Re-Interviewed After The Merger

Telkom Kenya has announced that a portion of the retrenched employees would still have the privilege to apply for jobs in the company again after merging with Airtel.

The Airtel-Telkom merger approval is still on a standstill but at least 575 employees from Telkom are on the verge of being fired if it is approved.

Telkom has issued a statement that the redundant employees would be offered chances in the joint venture company if there would be available positions and provided, they meet the required standard recruitment criteria.

“Subsequently, the intention is to advertise and interview Telkom employees for positions in the Combined Entity and its outsourced partners. Engagement of these employees will be guided by the Combined Entity’s recruitment criteria as well as the mapped positions therein,” read part of the press statement.

The 575 Telkom employees were issued with a contract termination notice and given a one-month ultimatum that took effect from July 31.

“In accordance with the provisions of Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007, we have notified the Communications Workers Union (COWU), and sent out individualized letters to staff where applicable as well as to the County Labor offices, giving one-months’ notice with effect from July 31, 2019, of our intention to terminate the employment of approximately 575 of our employees, on account of redundancy, as a result of the Transaction,” said Telkom in a notice.

Telkom stated that the one-month ultimatum given, was to allow dialogue between the business and staff, ensuring that any ideas, suggestions, and queries are received and given due consideration.

Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya Limited had signed a binding deal on February 8, 2019, that would have them combine their respective Mobile, Enterprise and Carrier Services businesses in Kenya to operate under a joint venture company (JV Co) to be named Airtel-Telkom.