TVP announces plans to lay off over 1,000 workers

Public television station TVP has announced details of a restructuring plan that envisages more than 1,000 workers being laid off. The company currently employs almost 6,000 people, whereas its private competitor Polsat operates with a staff of just 290. TVP says the restructuring is necessary because of the recession on the market and its lower income from subscriptions. "These are complicated matters, and we will certainly not be able to avoid di fficult solutions. But they are necessary," said TVP spokesman Janusz Cieliszak. According to an initial estimate, 23% of those made redundant will be creative staff, 30% will be administrative workers, and service and technical workers will account for 20%. The restructuring plan has been strongly criticized by TVP employees, who argue that when 408 people were laid off last year TVP lost many talented and famous journalists. (Rze czpospolita, p. A6) A.K.