I just got this response from the SABC, admitting to a 60% reduction requested from people doing additional work, meaning news readers who read news bulletins:
''The 60% cut relates to allowances paid for additional work performed by presenters. This additional work has to be performed outside of the normal working shifts. All producers are paid a basic salary for the normal working shift. This basic salary is not being reduced."
''The 60% reduction is with respect to allowances paid to presenters for reading the news. We are in the process of phasing out 'additional work', which is the equivalent of overtime pay, because it is virtually impossible for producers to read the news outside of the normal shift given that they ought to be engaged in the production of the bulletin during the shift. This is also time for which they are fully compensated by way of a basic salary – which is not being cut.''
What I find strange:
1. is that Phil Molefe is now dumping this new contract for additional work (there already exists such an additional contract) while the people concerned all still have a contract that is VALID and runs until 31 March 2010.
2. is that the cut of 60% is astronomically huge as a sudden once off permanent reduction. I just got off the telephone with the SABC, and the public broadcaster tells me ''it has to do with money''.
3.Why people were told they have to sign the new contract IMMEDIATELY. The SABC says:
''This was discussed with them, and it's about money. The fact of the matter is that it was discussed with the whole division. We're cutting here and there.''
