Gijima to retrench workers

Technology group Gijima is to retrench an undisclosed number of workers to improve efficiency and reduce costs, according to a report on Wednesday. Gijima would not say how many employees would be affected "due to the consultative HR (human resources) processes that we need to follow", Business Day reported. The company has more than 3000 employees. Gijima returned to profitability in the six months to December last year. This was after reporting losses over the same period in 2010 due to a settlement with the department of home affairs over the cancellation of the R2.4 billion "Who Am I Online" project. In statement on Sens on Tuesday, Gijima said it was launching an "internal people optimisation strategy aimed at improving efficiency and reducing its cost base". It said the information and communications technology landscape had "changed dramatically". "For Gijima to adequately respond to these changes, the company will also be streamlining its operations focusing on efficiency, nimbleness, and human resources optimisation." CEO Jonas Bogoshi said: "Our aim is to enhance our business competitiveness, and that of our valued clients, and this optimisation strategy will enable us to do just that, without compromising our track record of quality service delivery." Gijima intended reducing staff costs by between eight and 12 percent. This would be completed by mid-August and the business restructuring would come into full effect in July.