Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Motor vehicle manufacturer Toyota is advising employees to take voluntary packages before they are retrenched because of the economic downturn in the country.

The spokesperson for the Japanese-owned company, Thampelo Molapo, said the decline in the economy is forcing the company to advise their employees to take voluntary packages before retrenchment.

Molapo confirmed the voluntary separation scheme was under way.

"We can confirm that the unions were consulted at the workplace about this voluntary separation scheme," he said.

But NUM regional secretary Mbuso Ngubane says the move is against the current spirit of negotiations, and accused Toyota of taking the "easy way out".

He said the union will challenge the decision.