Union federation calls for workplaces to prioritise PPEs as some workplaces are set to re-open

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday, 21 April, announced the regulations would be eased next month to allow the economy to breathe, in a regulated manner.

Cosatu spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, said the union federation supports Ramaphosa’s decision to kick-start the economy but with prioritisation of worker’s health from the employers.

“Currently, the economy is functioning at 20 per cent capacity and only 15 per cent of the workforce is working,” he said.

“We need to balance both our health and also our socio-economic needs.

“The Covid-19 virus will not magically disappear, and it may take time to get an accessible and reliable vaccine – we do not have the financial muscle to afford a long-term shut down of our economy, as a country.”

Pamla said the workplaces that are to re-open, must fulfil health and safety conditions and conduct a risk assessment of the workplace in relation to Covid-19.

“Any sector or workplace must have a signed health and safety agreement. Employers must be legally held to this by the department of employment and labour,” he said.

He said the agreement between employers and employees should include safe transport, the provision of personal protective wear sanitisers, social distancing at the workplace, regular testing, and screening at the workplace, as well as other measures that can reduce the number of people on duty per shift through staff rotations, where possible.

“Government and employers need to ramp up mass screening and testing otherwise we will struggle to move to level 3.”

Pamla called on the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi to increase labour inspectors to deal with the new conditions that will have to be adopted by various workplaces.

“Employers must put in place resources to enable as many workers as possible to work from home with the requisite tools of trade.”

He said government’s assistance to businesses should be able to put a halt on retrenchments.

“Employers must cease retrenching workers when there are options available to assist businesses.

“Instead, they must apply for the UIF Covid-19 relief fund to avoid retrenching workers or sending them on unpaid leave.”

Pamla concluded that the federation was looking into the education sector to ensure that learners and students can resume studies as soon as safely possible.

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