RETRENCHMENTS are coming at 1KZN TV.
Apparently, at least 5% of the KZN-based TV station’s current 80 staff members will be axed.
Station manager Edwin Mncwango told Daily Sun consultations had already taken place and notices were issued to workers.
“We’re forced to retrench some of our staff. Unfortunately, at this stage we haven’t identified who is going and who is staying. At least 5% our members will be retrenched. We also haven’t decided on the date, but it’s going to happen very soon,” he said.
Mncwango said the lockdown was the reason for the cuts. “The reality is we’ve been hit hard by the lockdown.
“Initially, we thought we’d make it but as lockdown continued, we realised we’re going down.
“As it is, we’re not coping financially. Our advertisers pulled out. What makes it harder is that we don’t have any government funding or private funding.
“Our business relies on advertising.
“For the last three months of lockdown, half of our employees were sitting at home, but they were getting their full salaries. It got to a point where the business was no longer viable unless we retrenched,” said Mncwango.
He said they had come up with a plan for those who would be retrenched. “They will be given the option to become independent contractors. We are offering them the opportunity to continue doing their shows but they will have to produce them from their pockets.
“This means the station will be buying content from them. We also have other plans but we are not able to disclose them yet.”
