Etisalat cut 70 positions at the group level last year as the telecoms company looked to increase efficiency.
The group level handles Etisalat operations outside the UAE.
“In 2014, 100 positions were identified as redundant. We were able to redeploy 30 of those individuals into various operations within the Etisalat Group. Seventy staff were made redundant,” an Etisalat spokesman said.
Etisalat said it employs about 47,000 full-time employees across its operations in 19 countries.It did not provide an exact number for its employees at group level, but it is estimated by industry sources to be about 300.
Etisalat said that the trimming of its group level headcount was part of “operating efficiently”.
A former Etisalat employee whose job was cut last year said the move came after Etisalat bought a €4.2 billion (Dh16.77bn) stake in Maroc Telecom, a deal completed in May.
The acquisition meant that there was a duplication of some of the roles, said the source.
Before Etisalat finalised its acquisition of the 53 per cent stake in Morocco’s largest operator, it sold and transferred the management of Etisalat operations in West Africa to the company.
Last week Etisalat reported an 8 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to Dh2.2bn.
The operator reported a 30 per cent rise in revenue to Dh12.9bn, even as earnings from Egypt declined owing to currency devaluation and fell in Pakistan and Morocco because of competition in the mobile segment.
Etisalat operates in markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, including Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
At home it is set to face increased competition from its local competitor du as the UAE opens up the market for home internet and landline services this year.
Du is expected to report first quarter results on Tuesday.
Etisalat shares closed 0.4 per cent lower on Thursday in Abu Dhabi at Dh11.25. For the year to date they are up 13 per cent.
selgazzar@thenational.ae
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