Media Prima confirms going ahead with ‘manpower rationalisation exercise’

PETALING JAYA: Media Prima Bhd has confirmed that it will go ahead with its “manpower rationalisation exercise” and that affected employees were given their official notifications on Monday (Dec 16).

The media group said that compensation payments would be made in full upon completion of internal and regulatory processes.

It added that the new operating structure and list of affected employees were determined after several consultations with unions.

These include the Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad Employees Union (KSKSTMB), the TV3 Executive Union (KESTMB), the National Union of Journalists Peninsular Malaysia (NSTP Branch) (NUJ NSTP), and the National Union of Newspaper Workers (NUNW).

“The group has ensured a fair and equitable compensation governed by the Employment Act, the respective union collective agreements, and employment contracts.

“The group will additionally provide support, which includes job outplacement services and career counselling.

“The next phase of Media Prima’s business transformation exercise will include changes to the group’s business model and internal organisation structure.

“This is to enable the group to be future-proofed and sustainable given the uncertain macroeconomic conditions and disruptive changes in the global and local media sector, ” it said in a statement Monday.

Media Prima did not say how many employees would be affected, but NUJ NSTP said that 543 staff would be affected in the retrenchment exercise that is set to take place by March 12 next year.