In a publicity stunt meant to diffuse the tension of MTN's acquisition of Visafone, MTN has gone to the media to plant stories that the sacked Visafone staff have been, or will be recalled.
Dear Editor,
Kindly allow me to debunk the lies of MTN and Visafone in the media as regards the recently sacked Visafone staff.
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In a publicity stunt meant to diffuse the tension of MTN's acquisition of Visafone, MTN has gone to the media to plant stories that the sacked Visafone staff have been, or will be recalled.
As part of the agreement for the acquisition of Visafone, MTN had insisted that all Visafone staff be laid off. Visafone complied paying staff who have served it faithfully over the years paltry sum. Unlike Airtel that handsomely rewarded its staff that were laid of not long ago.
The truth is that the number of Visafone staff retained plus those recalled is less than ten percent of Visafone total work force. MTN decided to do this to diffuse tension on the acquisition and avoid backlash from the public and government. And then it went into the media to announce as though all sacked staff had been recalled or will be recalled.
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It is a shame that the government will allow a South African company in collusion with their local collaborators to maltreat Nigerians. There was no need for MTN to have asked Visafone to lay off its staff. Justice will only be done when ALL sacked staff are recalled immediately without any condition.
MTN which has already become a monopoly and too big to comply with the laws of the land (From the recent fine saga, which they have refused to pay up till now) is being allowed - by this acquisition - to further expand its roots and turn into Frankenstein's monster that will be able to call the bluff of any regulatory authority or government.
Already with the sack of the staff, Visafone quality of service has dropped drastically and their subscribers are groaning. If the staff are not quickly recalled, this will worsen and also affect the banking industry as most POS and ATM machines run on Visafone. That would cripple the cashless economy policy of the government.
Sincerely,
Daniel Oketola
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