Trevor Ncube's newspapers battle to stay afloat

WORKERS at Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), owned by businessman Trevor Ncube, have still not been paid their July salaries as the country's ailing economy savages the media sector.

This comes as staff at the government-owned Zimpapers group this week revealed management was mulling a 20 percent pay cut as the media industry takes a hammering from declining sales and poor advertising revenues in a failing economy.

AMH publishes Newsday, The Standard, The Zimbabwe Independent and the Bulawayo based Southern Eye newspapers.

During a hastily organised meeting Wednesday at the company's offices in Harare, the group's publisher, Rita Chinyoka, admitted that the company is going through a lean spell.

Chinyoka warned workers to brace for tough times ahead.

She told the workers to expect half salaries in their accounts this week.

Chinyoka was said to have been accompanied by the group's human resources manager.


Below is a notice sent to AMH staff.

STAFF NOTICE

FROM : GM-HUMAN CAPITAL
TO : ALL STAFF
SUBJECT : JULY SALARY
DATE : 6th AUGUST 2014
__________________________________________________________________________

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to inform you that we have started paying salaries for July. We have started with The Standard, Newsday and Zimbabwe Independent. These salaries will be accessible from tomorrow (7th August). Shared Services and Southern Eye salaries will be accessible from Friday the 8th August 2014. We will be paying half salaries for anyone with a net salary above $500 and full salaries for those with a net salary of below $500.

I am truly sorry for the inconveniences this delay has caused you all.

Regards,

EDITH KAYINGA