TV3 says it will 'ensure fair compensation' ahead of retrenchment exercise

Media Prima's subsidiary, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia (TV3), has signed a Memorandum of Agreement together with representatives from union groups, Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Employees Union (KSKSTMB) and TV3 Executive Union (KESTMB), to begin the manpower rationalisation exercise of TV3 employees.In a statement, the group said it will "ensure that affected employees receive fair compensation benefits and outplacement assistance".According to reports on The Edge ,TV3 gave 190 employees three months' notice period while providing 43 other employees with mutual separation schemes. About 37 employees who will be retrenched fall under the creative service department, the report said.A Media Prima spokesperson also confirmed to A+M that there will be retrenchments but could not share details pertaining to teams.  This was revealed in parliament after Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran disclosed that he received a memorandum from TV3 unions opposing employee termination.Separately in May this year, TV3 was ordered by the High Court to pay RM1.1 million in damages to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, after ruling that one of the TV station’s news reports had defamed him five years ago.Media Prima generated a 79% increase in digital and commerce revenue for the nine months financial period ended 30 September 2018 (9MFY18) against the comparative period in 2017. Digital and commerce revenue increased to RM216.2 million in 9MFY18 from RM121.0 million, reflecting the positive progress of Media Prima’s business transformation plan to become Malaysia’s leading digital-first content and commerce company.(Photo courtesy: 123RF)