Months have passed since Massiv Metro, an online radio station, closed its doors, leaving former employees with unpaid wages and pension funds. Despite their efforts to contact the company, the staff has yet to receive any communication or compensation.
Unpaid Salaries for Volunteers
One former employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared that she and her colleagues were considered volunteers and only received transportation allowances instead of actual salaries. She revealed that she had not been paid for two months and had been forced to use her own money to travel to work. “It’s been almost three months since we left, and they have still not paid me my money,” she lamented.
Full-Time Employees Struggle to Receive Pensions
Another former employee, who was a full-time worker with a pension fund, shared that there had been no communication about signing out forms to receive their money. She had been forced to live off of her savings and expressed concern about how long this situation could continue. A former producer echoed these concerns and added that he hoped to receive the one-month salary owed to him.
The End of Massiv Metro
Massiv Metro was launched in May 2017 by Massiv Media and DJ Sbu, a well-known broadcaster. However, the station ultimately closed on 31 March 2023, after DJ Sbu announced his departure from his on-air role. The closure came after the South African Revenue Service sought a writ of execution to sell Massiv Metro’s assets due to non-compliance with income tax regulations. The station faced an R84,768 tax bill as a result.
A Reminder of the Precarious Nature of the Media Landscape
The closure of Massiv Metro has brought attention to the financial struggles faced by the radio industry and the impact on its employees. The former workers are facing an uncertain future as they continue to wait for their salaries and pensions. This situation serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of the media landscape.
Uncertainty Remains
With Massiv Metro entangled in lawsuits and court orders, it remains to be seen how the company will address the outstanding payroll and pension issues. It is vital that the affected employees receive the compensation they deserve for their hard work and dedication to the station. As the situation continues to unfold, the hope is that a resolution will soon be found.
