Feelers emerged on Wednesday that Visafone was winding down operations and had sacked more than 83 per cent of its workers as part of its acquisition by the MTN Nigeria.

Our correspondent gathered that over 2,000 employees were disengaged with effect from January 5, 2016, and were paid three months’ salaries as severance package.

The only categories of employees said to be left were those in the personnel and transmission departments.

One of the affected workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the sacking came as a surprise to many of them.

“We learnt that the management would downsize, but we were told that that would be later in 2016. It is, however, surprising that they are sending majority of us away so early in the year. Though they paid three months’ severance benefits, but should it be this way?

“Some of us have put in five to 10 years of our lives in keeping the business going, but see what we are getting now. It is well.”

A senior management employee at Visafone confirmed the sacking, but was quick to refer media enquiries to MTN because he was not authorised to speak on the deal.

When contacted, MTN Nigeria neither denied nor confirmed the deal, but said the management was already working on a statement that would be made available to journalists later in the day or today (Thursday).

As of the time of filing this report, our correspondent had yet to obtain the statement.

Reliable sources stated that the MTN would have completed the acquisition of Visafone, the only surviving Code Division Multiple Access operator in the country, before the end of 2015, but for the N1.04tn fine slammed on it by the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Our correspondent gathered that the challenges in the nation’s economy had also frustrated plans by the MTN to absorb at least 50 per cent of the sacked Visafone workers and because “it wants to reduce its exposure in Nigeria.”

http://www.punchng.com/2000-visafone-workers-fired-as-mtn-completes-acquisition/ lalasticlala, dominique, Mynd44

My own is that MTN should pay their fine. The money is not coming into my pocket but it will make me happy

Its so sad that when a company is being acquired most times a lot of the staff get sacked. Its worse in this case because these people didn't see the sack coming

This is not good enough.

Lay-offs goes with acquisitions, affected staff should make good use of their severance package.

Chaiii

Chai e don red Oo

CHANGE!

In Buhari voice

Firefire:
CHANGE!

Pay off is assured na

Which kind new year surprise package plan be this one nah

It's all part of the headache associated with acquisition. Visafone was never a service provider to me tho

CR77:
In Buhari voice

... our correspondent gathered that the challenges in the nation’s economy had also frustrated plans by the MTN to absorb at least 50 per cent of the sacked Visafone workers

Buhari has plunged this country into misery

I only blame buhari

Liar-in-chief: Blame GEJ

If PDP had not stolen the world wealth, such would have been avoided: Ngenekunu

If PMB had A1 in Economics, this would have been avoided: Barcatalkie

Nigeria is messed up and hold GEJ: Omen-burukutu

Una don shack ogogoro and Akure weed again, abi? : Ajebuter

D 3 month severnce py no do una? Greedy peeps

Okay

Godmother:
Its so sad that when a company is being acquired most times a lot of the staff get sacked. Its worse in this case because these people didn't see the sack coming

They saw it coming.

Hmmn... meaning MTN will hire more




NB- all artists, Dj, Mcs are advised to make their work worthwhile this 2016 so we can all ball hard... Thus, th best place to get the best music production is from #StormerzStudio behind Conoil, fajol Abeokuta.
Call or whatsapp 08060389161

Godmother:
Its so sad that when a company is being acquired most times a lot of the staff get sacked. Its worse in this case because these people didn't see the sack coming

Any person with good foresight should have seen it coming. Visafone has been on life support...

Means more people will be employed?....abi who go fill the free space

there's no difference between MTN & Lai Mohammed.

no no no pls i will no go anywere

How long can 3 months salary sustain someone who must likely have a family and need to care for in this go-slow government and economy?

MTN should have retained at least 45 per cent of Visafone's workforce following its acquisition.

How will Nigerians have work if a foriegn company will come and buy an indigenous company and lay off over 80 per cent of its workforce whom are likely to be Nigerians?

MTN should consider calling back some of the sacked workers or labour unions should step in to protect the common interest of its members.



For those looking for a job and those that have a nice job but do not want to be taken by suprice...

Here are some reasons to start job hunting now: http://www.234jam.com/2016/01/got-ambition-you-should-job-hunt-for.html

I feel sorry for the affected workers and wish them good luck and success in their job hunt and career.

Availability of job reducing...Job seekers increasing..God where are we going in this country?

hope they get another job before the 3 months severance evaporates.

Make den use dr savings to start small biz...

See as them commot food for this people mouth I decree that any power that is destined to remove food from ur table shall not see the light of the day Amen

2016 my year of rang rover vogue and bently