Statement by Mediamax Human Resources states that staff will have to part with between 20 to 50 per cent gross pay in measures aimed at containing the impact of covid-19 on the business.
Mediamax, the owners of K24TV and a couple of other media ventures follows on the footsteps of Royal Media Services (RMS).
In September last year, the firm (Mediamax) declared over 150 staff redundant. RMS had planned to fore 300 staff but shelved the plan; only 10 people from the sales department were fired.
Here is mediamax statement sent to staff today 17th April 2020
As you are well aware the unprecedented ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on all businesses and especially on business models like ours that rely heavily on advertising revenue.
COVID 19 infections across the world have hit close to two million and since the announcement of the first reported case in Kenya on 13th March 2020 we have taken various key measures as an organization amongst them; emphasis of safety first including hand wash protocol, emphasis of operational guidelines that comply with social distancing including working from home, no live audiences and restricted travel.
We have also set up a representative cross functional task force that continuously updates and communicates with staff members on any emerging issues regarding the virus.
On the business side we have seen a continuous decline of advertising revenue since the announcement of the first case of Corona Virus in Kenya. Our clients have been adversely affected and within a short span of time have had to make difficult decisions regarding their employees and their businesses including cancellation of their communication and advertising plans.
We have consulted extensively and held several meetings with the leadership team and the board of directors to find ways and methods to sustain and keep the Company afloat during this pandemic.
We have come up with several measures to ensure that we try to sustain and ensure that the business at this stage survives and sustains itself. Amongst the proposed measures that will directly apply to employees will be a reduction of between 20% and 50% on Gross Monthly Pay based on job levels effective April 2020.
Each one of you shall receive a personal letter from the Human Resources Department confirming this decision and seeking your formal consent. In case of any further clarification please contact your team leader, HR business partner or the HR Department.
We shall review the situation once normalcy resumes based on revenue, Cashflow and the state of the business going forward. Due to reduced level of operations due to the COVID 19 pandemic it has become necessary to request staff whose services are not required during this period to proceed immediately on leave.
This shall be coordinated with the HR department and Heads of Department.
Ends
Mediamax is the holding company of the People Daily Newspaper, Tv stations (Kameme and K24) Radio stations ( Emoo FM, Milele FM, Kameme FM, Msenangu (formerly Pilipili FM), Mayian FM and Meru FM).
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