MEO may proceed with the dismissal of around 1,200 workers after obtaining the status of a company undergoing restructuring, a decision that is generating union opposition. The measure comes at a time when worker representatives argue that the operator is already facing a shortage of human resources in several services, raising doubts about the impact of a new staff reduction.
According to the radio’s website, the National Union of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Workers (SINTTAV), the most representative among the unions linked to the company, was surprised by the news related to the possible collective dismissal.
Union says it was taken by surprise
The president of SINTTAV, Manuel Gonçalves, stated that he had not received any prior indication from the company. “Just two days ago I was in Brussels with two company representatives and we didn’t talk about any of this,” he told the radio station.
For the union leader, the possibility of yet another reduction in workers is part of a strategy followed since the acquisition of the former Portugal Telecom by Altice. As he explained, the policy has been marked by the continuous reduction in the company’s staff.
Continuous reduction over the years
Manuel Gonçalves recalls that the size of the operator has changed significantly in recent decades. “In 1994, we were 24,000 and at this moment we are less than 5,000,” he stated, describing a gradual process of reducing human resources.
The same source says that many workers have left the company through retirements, retirements, early retirements and termination agreements by mutual consent. Still, the union considers that the numbers continue to decline sharply.
Sale of the company raises concerns
According to the union leader, the situation may be related to the process of searching for a buyer for the company. Manuel Gonçalves maintains that the number of workers influences the operator’s valuation in a possible sale.
“For a company like MEO, if it has 5,000 workers, it has one price, if it has 3,000, it has another price, and the owner of Altice wants money,” he said. He also adds that Altice has recently closed 23 buildings, structures that could also be sold.
Lack of staff is highlighted as a problem
The union’s challenge gains strength because, according to worker representatives, the company is already experiencing operational difficulties due to a lack of personnel. The union leader cites as an example the effects of the storms that hit several regions of the country at the beginning of this year.
“There are many telephones that still don’t work since the catastrophe and we don’t know when they will start working because there are no staff”, he lamented. “They don’t have staff,” he added.
Terminations can reach high values
Renascença also says that negotiated exit processes continue to exist. According to Manuel Gonçalves, some terminations by mutual agreement cost around 100 thousand euros, although he warns of the risks associated with these decisions.
“The money goes quickly,” said the union leader, warning of situations where relatively young workers choose to leave the company. “There are workers just over 40 years old who quit. After half a dozen years, they have no money or jobs.”
Restructuring statute paves the way for the process
The possibility of dismissal is associated with the status of a company undergoing restructuring requested by MEO. According to the same source, this framework was assigned at the beginning of this year and remains valid until June 30th.
It is precisely through this mechanism that the operator will be able to move forward with cutting around 1,200 jobs. Despite the opposition expressed by the union, Manuel Gonçalves admits that the margin for intervention is reduced, since the process has already received legal framework from the competent authorities.
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