Malawi Telecom workers end strike

BLANTYRE – Business resumed at Malawi’s second-ranked cellphone operator Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM) yesterday after workers called off a strike sparked by Econet Wireless’s takeover of the company.

Econet said workers returned to work after management allayed fears of job cuts and agreed to discuss employee concerns over benefits. A TNM employee representative said on Wednesday 500 people were on strike but Econet spokesman Sure Kamhunga said only 200 were involved and that the strike did not disrupt the network.Econet, Africa’s fourth-ranked cellphone operator which is planning a London IPO this year, said last week it had bought a 60 per cent stake in TNM for US$$24,5 million from Telekom Malaysia Berhad.Econet said it plans to double network capacity this year at TNM, which has a 45 per cent market share in the southern African country, and boost its subscriber base.- Nampa-ReutersA TNM employee representative said on Wednesday 500 people were on strike but Econet spokesman Sure Kamhunga said only 200 were involved and that the strike did not disrupt the network.Econet, Africa’s fourth-ranked cellphone operator which is planning a London IPO this year, said last week it had bought a 60 per cent stake in TNM for US$$24,5 million from Telekom Malaysia Berhad.Econet said it plans to double network capacity this year at TNM, which has a 45 per cent market share in the southern African country, and boost its subscriber base.- Nampa-Reuters