STAFF NUMBERS
Unions unconvinced by Eskom’s natural attrition plan
While Eskom has stuck to its plan of reducing its headcount through "natural attrition", there is confusion among trade unions about its intentions. In 2016 the World Bank recommended that Eskom reduce its staff from 47,000 to 14,200 in line with similar power utility operations in South America in order to contain costs. The National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) recently said the company needed to cut at least 6,000 posts that cost it R3.8bn annually. This week, cash-strapped Eskom maintained it had no plans to cut staff numbers despite increased pressure to do so by the energy regulator and experts. Instead, it has stuck to its strategy of managing the reduction of its headcount by "natural attrition" while retaining core and critical skills. Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said the company’s plan to reduce its headcount to 36,746 by 2021-22 was dependent on the assumption it would lose 4% of its total staff due to resignations or retirement annually. The majority of Eskom’s emplo...
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