Finance and Economic Opportunities
With regard to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the province:
- Whether he has received any reports of companies that have forced employees to take unpaid leave during the lockdown period; if so;
- whether he will investigate these reports; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what measures have been put in place to ensure that companies that provide non-essential services adhere to the nation-wide lockdown regulations, which include workers not reporting for duty;
- what provisions are in place to allow workers, especially women with underage children, to take leave from companies in essential services to manage fatigue and stress levels during this period of lockdown;
- whether he will investigate reports of companies, especially retail shops, that have increased prices of some essential products, such as sanitizers, gloves and basic food stuff; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what measures have been put in place to ensure that companies that provide essential services adhere to the containment measures of Covid-19 virus in their workspaces and accommodation, including safety, high levels of hygiene and periodic testing of those working in high-risk areas, such as ports, airports and frontline services?
We are working hard to support businesses and workers in the Western Cape during the nation-wide lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Where we have received complaints from employees about their employers, we have advised the employees to contact the Department of Labour as they are best placed to assist the employee as per their mandate.
Where we have received complaints pertaining to businesses who are operating and who are not essential services, we have advised the complainant to contact the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition who are addressing these matters as per their mandate.
Where we have received complaints pertaining to businesses who are increasing prices of essential goods, we have advised the complainant to contact the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition who are addressing these matters as per their mandate.
Finally, to support businesses and ensure they put in place all safety and hygiene measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 we have done the following:
- Launched the Covid-19 Content centre in partnership with Wesgro and the City of Cape Town, to provide advice and support for businesses include a series of Frequently Asked Questions that outline the steps businesses can take to stop the spread of Covid-19
- Created a “Corporate Toolkit” which include collateral such as posters, decals and flyers for businesses to use in their organisation to ensure that we stop the spread of Covid-19
- Held engagements with industry bodies and representatives from business sectors, such as Business Process Outsourcing, Tourism and Hospitality, Retail and Shopping Malls, to instruct and advise on health and safety measures to be implemented to stop the spread of Covid-19
