MTN SA says senior managers reporting to CEO Godfrey Motsa are giving up their annual salary increases to help staff affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, MTN said most of the money collected would go towards a relief fund designed to help workers and their families affected by the deadly pandemic. Salaries of MTN staff will also continue to be reviewed upwards as per the company’s policy.

The telco has been facing criticism from the Communication Workers Union over the manner in which it handled employee concerns regarding the management of employee welfare during the pandemic.

Godfrey Motsa, MTN SA CEO.

The latest move by MTN executives comes on the back of a severe strain on the economy, which has resulted in job losses.

According to the World Economic Forum, in the second quarter of 2020, COVID-19 may cost the equivalent of 305 million full-time jobs.

“MTN SA’s executive team had not taken its annual salary increases and is diverting those funds into an employee support fund to assist MTN families that have specific COVID-19-related issues. Our primary concern remains supporting our employees and our customers,” says Jacqui O’Sullivan, MTN SA’s executive for corporate affairs.

“Our employees are facing the same pressures in their households as are being felt across the country and we felt it imperative that we continue with the annual salary increase for all other employees in this time of great economic pressure.”

According to O’Sullivan, the leaders of MTN will continue to work to protect employees and their families, with every resource available to the company.

“No one knows everything about this virus and we are constantly heeding new local and international guidance to protect our people. Any claim to the contrary is crass, baseless and disrespectful to our people who put themselves out there, each day, to keep South Africans connected.”

In April, MTN announced it had customised its response to COVID-19 to recognise its responsibility.

It said comprising five key intervention initiatives, the group focused on employees, customers, vulnerable groups, contributions to government’s Solidarity Fund and participating in industry interventions.