Vodafone 2009 Annual Report Download - page 119

Financials
Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report 2009 117
36. Employees
The average employee headcount during the year by nature of activity and by segment is shown below. During the year, the Group changed its organisation structure.
The information on employees by segment are presented on the revised basis, with prior years amended to conform to the current year presentation.
2009 2008 2007
Number Number Number
By activity:
Operations 13,889 12,891 12,630
Selling and distribution 25,174 22,063 18,937
Customer care and administration 40,034 37,421 34,776
79,097 72,375 66,343
By segment:
Germany 13,788 13,631 14,421
Italy 6,247 6,669 7,030
Spain 4,354 4,057 4,066
UK 10,350 10,367 10,256
Other Europe 8,765 8,645 8,797
Europe 43,504 43,369 44,570
Vodacom 3,246 2,751 2,623
Other Africa and Central Europe 13,789 10,925 9,610
Africa and Central Europe 17,035 13,676 12,233
India 8,674 6,323 1,022
Other Asia Pacific and Middle East 6,765 6,051 5,569
Asia Pacific and Middle East 15,439 12,374 6,591
Common Functions 3,119 2,956 2,949
Total continuing operations 79,097 72,375 66,343
Discontinued operations:
Japan − − 233
The cost incurred in respect of these employees (including directors) was(1):
2009 2008 2007
Continuing operations £m £m £m
Wages and salaries 2,607 2,175 1,979
Social security costs 379 325 300
Share-based payments (note 20) 128 107 93
Other pension costs (note 26) 113 91 94
3,227 2,698 2,466
Note:
(1) For the year ended 31 March 2007, the cost incurred in respect of employees (including directors) from discontinued operations was £16 million.
37. Subsequent events
Vodacom
On 20 April 2009, the Group acquired an additional 15% stake in Vodacom for cash consideration of ZAR20.6 billion (£1.6 billion). On 18 May 2009, Vodacom became a
subsidiary undertaking following the listing of its shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and concurrent termination of the shareholder agreement with Telkom SA
Limited, the seller and previous joint venture partner. During the period from 20 April 2009 to 18 May 2009, the Group continued to account for Vodacom as a joint venture,
proportionately consolidating 65% of the results of Vodacom.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (‘COSATU’) has instituted a court action against the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (‘ICASA’)
challenging the decision of ICASA not to require Vodacom (Pty) Limited to seek ICASA’s approval in respect of the sale of shares in Vodacom by Telkom SA Limited to
Vodafone Holdings (SA) (Pty) Limited, the Vodacom listing and other related inter-conditional transactions (the “Transactions”) and hence the validity of the Transactions.
Vodacom and its subsidiary, Vodacom (Pty) Limited, are named as respondents in that action. Vodacom will oppose this court action.
Vodacom received a letter from ICASA on 15 May 2009 purporting to rescind its previous decision that the Transactions only required notification rather than prior approval
from ICASA and stating that a public consultation process will take place. Vodacom continues to believe that only a notification of the Transactions to ICASA
was required.
Qatar
On 10 May 2009, Vodafone Qatar completed a public offering of 40% of its authorised share capital, raising QAR 3.4 billion (£0.6 billion). The shares are expected to be listed
on the Doha securities market by July 2009.