According to some media reports, MTN Nigeria could be planning to reduce its workforce by letting go of a sizeable number of its junior employees.
This information is coming one week after its first indigenous CEO, Michael Ikpoki, and Regulatory and Corporate Service executive, Akinwale Goodluck, left the company in the wake of the N1 trillion fine scandal.
According to a Punch.ng report, sources at the Lagos headquarters of the company revealed that the management of the company is planning to cut down on the number of employees, particularly those in the lower rungs of the company.
According to the report, one of the sources, speaking under the condition of anonymity, said, “This is a difficult time for MTN. We are really facing serious issues. Because of this fine, the management has started cutting costs. Employees’ allowances are being reviewed. The shocking thing now is that we learnt the management is planning to downsize, especially among the lower cadre staff. The plan is to do it silently. No announcement will be made of the sacking. People will just be paid off.”
However, a senior employee of the company, also speaking under the condition of anonymity, refuted the claims saying.
READ: Lawyers sue telecom giant, NCC over $5.2 billion fine reduction
“It is a lie. It is not true. The organisation is currently lean in terms of staff strength, so how do we manage sacking people again? MTN cannot be fighting battles at different ends,” the source said according to the report.
“We are for now concentrated on how to resolve issues around the fine. For those who had been asked to go, it was not as if they were culpable in the matter, but the truth will be told at the right time. For now, there is no plan to downsize. It may be in the future. MTN has become an institution. We are also currently working on how to get more workers,” the source added, according to the Punch.ng report.
“The company may be lean in resources should it eventually pay the fine, but it is not lean in staff strength and that is why it wants some more people out. Now, they have started cutting costs and allowances, and are planning to sack the junior workers without adequate payoff package. Is that how the company wants to recoup the N780bn fine should it eventually pay up to that amount?” said yet another source, who is a senior management employee at the company, according to the report.