Unions welcome SABC decision to halt retrenchments

The public broadcaster announced on Thursday it will not embark on a retrenchment process.

Last year the SABC said it was looking to reduce the number of permanent employees by 901 and the number of freelancers by 1 200.

Bemawu’s Hannes du Buisson says this decision will come as a relief to stressed-out employees who endured an uncertain few months.

"We are very happy and we are very happy for the country as a whole because we believe that had the SABC proceed with these retrenchments that it would of cripple thebroadcaster.

"The SABC would have not been able to deliver on its public mandate, particularly in election time.”

The CWU's Aubrey Tshabalala says the government should make more funding available to the SABC.

He says the union will keep a close eye on the public broadcaster to make sure it sticks to its promises.

"What comfort us a little bit is that they are further committing to what we have been demanding – a skills audit at the SABC. That comforts us because if you embark on a restructuring process it will mean that we will know what skills the SABC has and what is it we need to improve on.

"That will be the first way to move towards the direction of improving the SABC as a whole.”

Meanwhile, Parliament Portfolio Committee on Communications has added its voice in welcoming the decision.

The committee’s chairperson Hlengiwe Mkhize believes the board should find more strategic interventions to address its financial crisis, including a new funding model.

"The committee's long-held resolve that the SABC should work with the minister of communications to come up with a comprehensive plan that will assist to recapitalise the R3 billion shortfall.”