No jobs cut at South32 Hillside smelter
Hillside's 1 370 employees were all were issued with notices in February on a proposed restructure of the business prior to a Section 189 process in consultation with all affected parties, amid fears that as many as 500 jobs could be lost
NO retrenchments took place last week at South 32’s Hillside smelter, owing to the fact that a large number of employees chose either early retirement or voluntary retrenchment packages.
Hillside’s 1 370 employees were all were issued with notices in February on a proposed restructure of the business prior to a Section 189 process in consultation with all affected parties, amid fears that as many as 500 jobs could be lost.
The process was part of a broader strategy to ensure that Hillside Aluminium becomes a sustainable, competitive and a high performing organisation.
It is reported that the exit of employees will be a phased approach; some are leaving at the end of this month while others have a transitional role to play and will still be on site for another month or two.
A transitional plan is in place and confidence was expressed that the relevant skills and experience will remain to keep the smelter operating optimally.
Suggestions for cost reduction initiatives from employees at Hillside over the past six months are being reviewed and implemented.
However, it is anticipated that further cost reductions will be required to improve Hillside’s competitive position on the cost curve.
Smelter authorities said the important contribution of Hillside to the Richards Bay economy, as well as the jobs and local businesses that depend on the smelter, were prime considerations in their planning.
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