On Sunday afternoon, Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi provided information on the preparations for the move to stage 4 of the lockdown and the partial return to workplaces from Monday.
The labour department said it had been working closely with the department of health and the labour inspectorate, which conducts inspections at all workplaces, including healthcare facilities, to ensure safe and hygienic conditions.
The employer must appoint a manager to address the concerns of employees and workplace representatives. They must report any diagnosis of COVID-19 at work to the Department of Health and the Department of Employment and Labour, investigate the cause, and take appropriate measures. It is a contravention not to do so as an employer.With regard to social distancing, workplaces must be arranged to ensure a minimum of 1 1⁄2 metres between workers. If this is not practicable, physical barriers must be erected and workers must be supplied free of charge with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment .
“Employers must provide each employee, free of charge, with at least two cloth masks to wear while at work or commuting. There must be suitable arrangements for washing and drying masks. Ultimately, the employer remains responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of PPEs. Where a risk assessment indicates, workers must be provided with alternative appropriate PPE to provide a greater level of protection.
In the 2019 budget, provision was made to employ an additional 500 Inspectors. This process is now being expedited to meet the demands of the pandemic. The Department is also looking at using accredited, registered inspection bodies to increase its reach. “The introduction of the COVID-19 TERS Benefit Scheme and the attendant massive increase in claims required that we completely redesign the architecture and supporting systems of the UIF claims process.”Shifting from individual walk-in claims to mass distribution hubs through online applications supported by the Call Centre for enquiries;
an amount of R1.9 billion in benefits. SARS has already validated 87% of these claims and these shall be paid next week.
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