City7 cancels three shows: TV staff lose jobs

City7 TV, a Dubai-based English channel, has axed around 90 employees, including staff of their three most popular shows.

The remaining staff have been asked to take a 20 per cent pay cut to retain jobs after City Woman, In Gear and Kids Club were canned.
cost-cutting mandatory

The move came due to the global credit crunch, said Mohiuddin Bin Hendi, Chief Executive of Bin Hendi Enterprises and the channel's owner. “Everyone must cut costs today. Finances are not about courage – they are about being smart,'' he said and added that the channel is not shutting down.

“City7 will continue and the shows will go on. We have plans for City7 but we are not announcing them at the moment,'' he said.

Staff were asked to sign an agreement to a 20 per cent pay cut with immediate effect. Sources said staff are negotiating the cut.

Kristy Maree, who is nine months pregnant and host of popular children's show Kids Club, said: “It's sad. But I was planning to leave. I have been promised that my dues will be cleared soon.''

Julie Mathews, host of City Woman, said: “I have received a number of offers. So I'm weighing my options.'' Adam Kechil, host of car show In Gear, said the reason for cancelling the shows was the global crisis. “In Gear had three 12-month sponsorship deals with Trading Enterprises, The Auto Mall and Gargash Motors, which are great but not enough to cover costs.''

Payments pending

Kechil, who lost his job in January, said his end of service benefits have not been paid. Other employees said their salaries have not been paid since June 2008.

Bin Hendi, however, said: “We have 3,600 staff. We are clear with them with regard to UAE laws. I support the fact that employees can challenge companies if they feel that they have been wronged. All establishments are facing financial issues, but because we didn't put all eggs in one basket Bin Hendi Enterprises are not in trouble.''