Trade union Solidarity says a Cell C employee has committed suicide after he received notice of his retrenchment.

Solidarity has demanded that the company halt further retrenchments and consult with unions representing members who could be affected by the process.

The mobile operator is planning to lay off as many as 150 employees of its total workforce of 1 288 as part of a restructuring programme aimed at improving the company’s efficiency.

Solidarity spokesperson Marius Croucamp says Cell C has not made an attempt to consult with the trade union over the retrenchments as set forward in section 189 of the Labour Relations Act.

“Trade unions play a crucial role in retrenchments. Solidarity follows a set plan of action in terms of which certain guidelines and methods are applied to minimise the effects of retrenchments and possibilities are explored to avert retrenchments,” Croucamp says.

“Cell C apparently acted hastily in starting to consult with employees over the planned retrenchments and failed to take the emotional impact a retrenchment notice has on employees into consideration. The company’s actions have probably already led to the unnecessary death of an employee,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Cell C has reacted to Solidarity, saying it has embarked on a process of consultation with respect to possible retrenchments. “A general communication was sent to all staff on Friday, 25 May, via e-mail advising staff that Cell C was about to embark on this process, followed by an SMS alerting all staff to read the e-mail,” the company says in a statement.

“Affected employees were issued with formal notifications on Tuesday, 29 May, inviting them to consult about possible retrenchments and alternatives to avoid or minimise job losses. The employee who tragically passed away on Tuesday was not at work on Monday or Tuesday and was not given any notification of possible retrenchment.

“This is a very sad situation and our main concern is for the family of the deceased at this time. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment on the cause or circumstances around the death of the employee.

“Cell C is very sensitive to the emotional impact that the process of possible retrenchment has on affected employees and has arranged counselling for those affected by this process. In addition, counselling has also been arranged for those colleagues and friends of the deceased.

“We acknowledge that there is freedom of association as provided by the Labour Relations Act. However, we have not been advised by any trade union of the identity of their members. In particular, Solidarity has not provided this information to Cell C despite a request to do so.

“Cell C will comply fully with all of its legal obligations and will attempt to minimise job losses during this process.” — Reporting by TechCentral and the Mail & Guardian