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At least 140 employees in the IT department will lose their jobs, Solidarity said in a statement.

The trade union says it is in possession of evidence that other departments will also be affected by retrenchments, but Absa is keeping mum on how many people will be retrenched.

"We are astounded by the callousness with which Absa is carrying out the process.   

"First, employees were forced to pack up their belongings and escorted out of Absa's offices. They were sent home for three months for so-called gardening leave and were told that other positions would be sought for them in the company.

"Now they are getting retrenched by e-mail," Dirk Hermann, Deputy General Secretary of Solidarity, said in the statement.   

In the letter to the employees, they are requested to complete a form whereby they resign from Absa, the union says. The form's heading reads: "Notice of termination of service". Employees have to complete the date of their resignation on the form.   

"If employees complete and sign this form, then it is no longer a case of retrenchment, but of resignation. The employees will therefore not be entitled to severance pay or unemployment insurance.  

"From a legal perspective the implication is that someone who worked for Absa for 40 years will be walking away without a cent," Hermann said.

Solidarity called on employees not to complete the form.   

Time-line of events as provided by Solidarity:

- On 7 May 2012 at 15:20, employees received a letter by e-mail informing them that attempts to place them in other positions had been unsuccessful.

- On 8 May they were requested to complete forms to resign from their medical aid and pension and a form to resign from the company in order to ensure a seamless exit from the bank. They must also hand in all property of the employer that may still be in their possession.

"In effect, the employees find themselves in a position where 'today' they are told that 'tomorrow' they have to say 'goodbye'," Hermann said.

In the letter's closing, the employees are thanked for their valuable contribution in Absa and wished success for the future, Solidarity says.

Comments

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Thu May 23 06:20:23 SAST 2013 ::

May 11, 2012

swona

the CEO has pocketed mR20 bonus, and its not even 140, the corret figure is 1200, maybe +140, and most of them of colour! and this company was offered a BEE award! how pathetic, I clossed all my dealings with them!
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May 11, 2012

ApelMankotsana

The British banking group Barclays has instructed ABSA to cut on its staff compliment. The banking group apparently told ABSA that it cannot afford the number of staff employed by it..The union must not let the bank get away with this. Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act is very clear on the procedures which need to be followed when retrenching employees and email is not one of them.The retrenchment looks unfair ab initio.
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May 11, 2012

swona

its done, more than 1200 of these employees have already claimed thier profident funds @Apel, there is nothing the union has done, and there is nothing they will do! think Volskas was going to impact better to the previously dissadvantage than this Barclays rubbish!
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May 11, 2012

TKay

Whats wrong with ABSA...cant they do it the right way
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May 11, 2012

Budapat

funny there's nowhere mentioning of MINISTRY OF LABOUR but union SOLIDARITY, secondly nowhere is COSATU quoted or any of its alliances, who are these employees of ABSA that are being retrenched via e-mails before I can go close my accounts with ABSA in solidarity to ABASEBENZI? im just scared i opt for a wrong reason while WE trying to get our ECONOMIC FREEDOM from the FOREIGNERS.
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May 11, 2012

swona

whats a pity these people were fired like thiefs, their belongings put in a rotatrim box and escorted by bouncers, some women, I know 3!
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May 11, 2012

swona

if u know the baks' IT environment, open plan office, more than 150people on one floor, being escorted by bouncers, maybe by the company these people has offered their lives to for more than 8yrs some, being treated like a thug! this bank is disgusting!
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May 11, 2012

Sharpino

In solidarity with this employee lets all cancel our account with ABSA....iesh i forget that i am not banking with them
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May 11, 2012

LehipilaMAFTOWN

......and the managers won't be affected by this, the world might just well end if exploitation is allowed to destroy people's lives so the suits can get their bonuses . Where are they going to get jobs in these extremely tough economic conditions.
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May 11, 2012

skaku

Maria stop it now,Manual will give your ANC tenders
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