Mail & Guardian reports that close to 100 jobs at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are on the line as the research centre undergoes restructuring.
But, recently departed employees say this will severely affect the organisation’s capacity to do crucial research, especially related to climate change. In the restructuring, departments that are being dissolved and merged include natural resources and the environment; defence, peace, safety and security; research development and innovation. More than 270 staff members, mostly in mid-manager positions, received notices of possible retrenchments in December. At least 46 employees took voluntary severance packages and a further 127 have been moved into different positions in the organisation in a process facilitated by the CCMA. According to Tendani Tsedu, spokesperson for the CSIR, 99 staff members have yet to be placed and are undergoing a re-interviewing process. He said restructuring was necessary because some areas of the business were no longer financially viable. Tsedu added that restructuring included restricting recruitment to critical positions only, in particular for positions directly linked to secured contract funding. He denied the restructuring will negatively affect environmental research. Instead, the researchers would be moved into a new department called the “smart places hub”.
- Read the full original of Jacques Coetzee’s report in the above regard at Mail & Guardian
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