More than 30 employees of the Radio Jamaica Group (RJR) were sent home yesterday as the fallout from the global economic crisis continued to hit local firms.

After reporting worrying numbers through the first three quarters of the financial year, RJR had warned of the possibility of cutting staff as part of efforts to reduce expense.

"The Board of Directors of Radio Jamaica met on February 26, and the board reviewed the state of the local economy and the advertising industry in particular," RJR wrote to the Stock Exchange in early March. "RJR's management has been authorised to implement a restructuring plan which modifies staffing and business processes in the group."

Business downturn deepens

The board added that "normal containment of expenses through improved productivity and voluntary cost reductions is no longer adequate as the downturn in business deepens".

Yesterday, the company intensified its efforts to reduce costs with 32 posts being made redundant, including those of prominent on-air personalities.

At least six senior managers were among those sent home.

In a statement, RJR said the redundancies affected radio, television, multimedia and its western bureau in Montego Bay, St James.

The company said the decision to send persons home was based on a combination of early retirement, voluntary redundancy and mandatory separation.

According to RJR, it is "moving the group to a model of greater out-sourcing of services aimed at reducing the size of its permanent structure as well as its recurring expenses".