The Swaziland (eSwatini) Government has announced a
E25 million (US$1.5 million) fund to help people laid-off from jobs because of the
present coronavirus lockdown in the kingdom.
Swazi Prime Minister Ambrose Dlamini announced after
reports that tens
of thousands of people could lose jobs. The kingdom has been in partial
lockdown since 27 March 2020.
Dlamini, in a statement
on Friday (5 June 2020) said the Ministry of Labour and Social Security would
in due course announce details of the fund.
He added that the government would also put forward
legislation to introduce an Unemployment Insurance Fund to protect people after
they had lost jobs.
Dlamini announced that a number of businesses including
manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers
of alcohol would be allowed to reopen from 15 June under strict health and
hygiene conditions.
He warned, ‘Any business which, on inspection, will be
found to be in violation of the permitted conditions will be immediately
closed.’
He said people were still expected to stay at home and
only move when necessary as the lockdown continued.
Dlamini said there could be a phased reopening of schools
and tertiary institutions from 1 July.
He said, ‘For the objectives of the 2020 academic year
to be achieved, we need to allow the current Form 5 learners to progress to
tertiary level. To do so they need to sit for their examinations and complete
their end of school cycle.
‘In preparation for the reopening of schools and
tertiary institutions, personnel will be trained on COVID-19 prevention and
control, and on ways of adapting to the “new normal” while ensuring that teaching
and learning continues.’
See also
Tens
of thousands of jobs at risk in Swaziland as coronavirus pandemic continues
Coronavirus
lockdown costs thousands of jobs in Swaziland, people evicted from homes
Only four
in ten receive food aid in Swaziland Govt coronavirus scheme, a month after
deadline
No comments:
Post a Comment