The Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Labour, Law enforcement agencies, Department of Health and eThekwini municipality checking if business owners are adhering to lockdown regulations in Durban
Photo by: Supplied
On 15th March 2020, the State President of the Republic of South Africa declared a National State of Disaster in terms of the National Disaster Management Act. The Command Council of Ministers went on to promulgate sector specific regulations with stringent measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19).
In support of the regulations and measures promulgated, PPF National Office issued a media statement calling all South Africans, businesses, households, transport operators and individuals to heed the government call for the National Lockdown and to stay at home. The PPF statement went further to caution businesses not to take advantage of the Coronavirus crisis by inflating commodity prizes and to engage in unfair labour practices.
It is for the above reasons why PPF is heartbroken to note and see that some business owners have intentionally decided to ignore the regulations by operating their businesses with impunity. Workers lives and wellbeing did not matter to them and by all means placed profit before everything else. We, condemn such a conduct and behaviour with contempt it deserves.
As PPF eThekwini we want to register unambiguously our appreciation and support the swift action taken by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Labour, Law enforcement agencies, Department of Health and eThekwini municipality to clamp down on these businesses and rescue the workers from such immoral business owners. We further call upon all workers and general public to report these kinds of acts which are a clear violations of the National Disaster Management act.
We support all raids and inspections that have been conducted because we know that they are in the interest of the workers including those in the informal economy.
We like to reiterate the call made by the ministers of Police, Justice and Correction Services that those found breaking the regulations should be dealt with harshly. We will continue to support government efforts in arresting the spread of coronavirus by reporting such behaviours wherever they manifest themselves.
Issued by Regional Secretary of The Progressive Professionals Forum, Mboneni Bhekiswayo