Union asks govt, business to supplement workers during the lockdown
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) says it's concerned that government has not taken measure to protect the poor and the working class against the pandemic of COVID-19.
By midnight, South Africa will go into lockdown for the next 21 days to curb the spread of the virus.
The number of cases has increased to 702 people in the country.
Numsa spokesperson, Phakamile Hlube-Majola, says the union is fully behind government's measures to protect the lives of the people; however, it is unacceptable that government and business shut down the economy for 21 days without consulting with workers.
"It cannot be accepted that government and business can trigger a 21 days shutdown and expect workers to pay for this crisis.
"We, therefore, demand and call on government to ensure that workers that all workers across the sector of the economy are guaranteed full pay during this 21-day shutdown," says Hlube-Majola.
Numsa says it rejects the notion that employers use workers' wages to pay them through paid leave.
Listen below:
The number of cases has increased to 702 people in the country.
Numsa spokesperson, Phakamile Hlube-Majola, says the union is fully behind government's measures to protect the lives of the people; however, it is unacceptable that government and business shut down the economy for 21 days without consulting with workers.
"It cannot be accepted that government and business can trigger a 21 days shutdown and expect workers to pay for this crisis.
"We, therefore, demand and call on government to ensure that workers that all workers across the sector of the economy are guaranteed full pay during this 21-day shutdown," says Hlube-Majola.
Numsa says it rejects the notion that employers use workers' wages to pay them through paid leave.
Listen below: