KAMPALA – Media giant Vision Group Uganda on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, sent dozens of employees on forced leave without pay as the company struggles to deal with low sales due to coronavirus, PML Daily has learnt.
The move comes 12 days after the State-owned company announced huge salary cuts for staff.
Sources at Vision Group said that the affected staff have been picked from different departments and business units, including New Vision, Bukedde TV, Radio and the Newspaper. Others are Urban TV, TV West, Orumuri, Rupiny and Etop, among others.
The source added that staff morale is low given that those not laid off have suffered huge salary cuts.
Vision Group Chief Executive Officer Robert Kabushenga, in a letter dated April 30, informed all staff that the business has been negatively impacted by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a more severe manner than could have been foreseen.
“This necessitates that for the first time in sixteen years management has to take drastic measures to reduce the wage bill,” he said.
The Vision boss added that employees will receive full pay for the month of April 2020 but will effect gross salary reduction effective May 2020 of 60% for employees “who earn above Shs19m, 45% for those between Shs8m-9m and 40% for those who earn below Shs8m.”
“This position will remain in place until further notice. Full details will be communicated in a personal letter to each staff member,” Kabushenga said, adding that further measures are still being discussed and staff will be notified accordingly.
“It is necessary for these measures to be undertaken to enable the company navigate the difficult market,” he concludes.