The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has concluded its retrenchment process and reduced the number of affected workers to just over 300, the public broadcaster said on Thursday.

“South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has concluded its Section 189 process after an extensive six-month consultation process.

“This process comprised 48 consultations, including seven CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) facilitated consultative sessions, nine bilateral sessions, 28 divisional structure consultative sessions and four facilitated sessions by an independent labour expert,” acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said in a statement.

She said the retrenchment process exceeded the minimum legislative requirements of 60 days and four sessions and was finalised on November 6, 2020.

“However, on 23 November 2020, the SABC board suspended the execution of the process by 30 days to enable management to further engage directly with employees on the proposed structures. The extended consultation process ended on 31 December 2020.”

She said after considering all options, the total number of affected employees was reduced to 303 against the projected 600.

The final number would depend on the acceptance of the proposed alternatives and the number of employees who opt for voluntary severance packages and early retirement.

The public broadcaster said it was satisfied that the retrenchment process could withstand any legal challenge.

Workers’ unions have accused the SABC of negotiating in bad faith and rushing to conclude the process by the end of the month.

The SABC has been in a deadlock with unions over the restructuring. A dispute was heard in the Labour Court in December 2020 and the court ruled in favour of the SABC.

The unions have threatened to strike in a push to stop the retrenchment.