Over 5000 retrenched Sapo workers to lose jobs

The South African Post Office (Sapo) presented its turnaround strategy to the Portfolio Committee of Telecommunications and Postal Services this week but at the same time it imparted with the news that 5065 workers would lose their jobs. Some of the positions that will be done away with include those that report to the CEO, which will reduce from 15 to seven positions.
 
Sapo, however, assured that it aims to mitigate these job losses “by creating entrepreneurial opportunities in retail agencies, the delivery of goods, and the provision of services. Job losses will also be mitigated by creating new opportunities in inspection and enforcement of regulations, mailroom management and coordination.”
 
Severance and retrenchment
 
As part of a retrenchment package, a person would get severance pay. The Department of Labour explains: “Employers must pay severance pay to retrenched workers.  The pay must be equal to at least one week’s pay for each completed year of continuous service.
 
“In addition to severance pay, workers are entitled to any other amounts that they are legally entitled to.
 
“Workers are not entitled to severance pay if they unreasonably refuse other employment with the same employer or with another employer.”
 
For more information on how to survive retrenchment, click here.
For more information on severance pay, click here.