Digital satellite and pay-television company MultiChoice has confirmed that it has commenced with the consultation process announced last week as part of its realignment of its customer care (call centre) and walk-in centres.

The company made headlines last week Friday after saying over 2000 workers in the call and service centre would be impacted by downsizing.

MultiChoice confirmed that the two sections of the business would be realigned in response to the changing behaviour of its customers, who, according to the company, are increasingly moving away from traditional voice calls and visits to Walk-in Centres and adopting new self-service and digital technologies to engage with the company.

ITWeb reported that the business cited competition from other OTT platforms as the catalyst for the decision.

In a statement issued by MultiChoice on Tuesday 25 June 2019, the company stated that it has entered into a consultation process with the affected employees.

"In this transition, the MultiChoice will make new roles available for multi-skilled employees with the expertise, skills and technological prowess to enhance the customer experience.

MultiChoice Group chief executive officer Calvo Mawela, said, "We are committed to the intent and the spirit of the Section 189 A process as outlined in the Labour Relations Act, and as MultiChoice leadership we will continue to engage impacted employees across the country during the stipulated consultation period to ensure a reasonable conclusion."

"MultiChoice is comfortable that it has from the outset conducted its restructuring process following all appropriate processes and procedures in accordance with the prescripts of the Labour Relations Act. The first consultation meeting which will be facilitated by an independent commissioner from the CCMA will go ahead as planned and there will be further communication in due course."