Vodafone, one of the country�s leading telecom companies, has this past week dismissed 150 workers on grounds of non-performance, with many more to follow in coming weeks, Economic Tribune has learnt.
Some disquiet is reported to be brewing among the staff of Vodafone, the country�s second biggest mobile operator by subscriber base, with many expressing anxiety and uncertainty.
�While people are being sacked, many more new hands are being recruited and we�re at a loss as to the real motive for the whole exercise,� one dismissed worker, who pleaded anonymity has said.
�It is obvious that since our new CEO assumed office, our status as employees have been shaky all along,� he added.
Some Ghanaians in the Diaspora and expatriates, who were recruited to replace the old staff of the company under its new management that sought to infuse superior foreign work ethics into their operations, are reported to be resigning in droves because they can withstand the pressure. Insiders of the company, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that the company is desperately looking to declare a profit this year, and they suspect that must be the motivation for the staff downsizing.
Third Quarter Report from the Vodafone Group indicates Vodafone Ghana recorded some 31.5 per cent growth in service revenue on the back of strong growth in customer base and successful brand positioning.
Even though the telecommunication company reported on its website that it has recorded growth in its service revenue in almost all its operations worldwide, it was not enough to grow the Group�s revenue within the quarter ending December 2011, as Group revenue declined by 2.3 per cent to $18.45billion.
This is attributable to declines recorded across other Vodafone operations. The report said organic service revenue for Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific, for instance, declined by 4.1 per cent.
Vodafone Ghana CEO, Kyle Whitehill, disclosed in August this year that even though the company is yet to record real cash profits after tax; �we are excited that at least we have reversed the 26 years of non-profitability of Ghana Telecom in just three years.�
Vodafone inherited Ghana Telecom at a time when it had been unprofitable for 26 years, but in three years, Vodafone Ghana reported impressive earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).
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