JERSEY Telecom workers must have their pay and conditions protected if the company is sold on, according to Senator Ben Shenton.

He has lodged a proposition that would ask the States to enact similar Transfer of Undertakings laws to the UK, protecting all JT employees in the event of a sale before the sale goes through.

Senator Shenton says he is in favour of selling the States-owned phone company, but only if workers are looked after properly.

The consultation document signalling the possible sale referred to employment protection for JT’s 464 staff – 38 of whom work in Guernsey – and chairman John Henwood said they would support a sale if they were sure the interests of all stakeholders, including staff, were looked after.

Having established during Question Time last week that there is no buyer ‘lined up’ to make a bid, Senator Shenton says his proposition need not cost the States any money by delaying the sale.