About 9,000 people in
Swaziland (eSwatini) are about to lose their jobs because of the coronavirus lockdown
in the kingdom.
Labour Commissioner Mthunzi
Shabangu said that 57 companies had applied to the Ministry of Labour and Social
Security for permission to lay-off the workers.
He said, ‘It is evident
that more people are yet to lose their jobs, because we have been receiving
requests through and through.’
By law the companies are
required to get permission from the ministry to lay-off workers but Shabangu told the eSwatini Observer that some had done
so without notification.
The lay-offs are considered
temporary for the duration of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis but there is no
guarantee that workers will get their jobs back. The workers will receive no
wages during the lay-offs.
Meanwhile Swazi senators in the portfolio committee complained
that a E90 million (US$5.3 million) relief fund set up to give assistance
during the coronavirus lockdown was not helping micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSME).
They asked for a meeting
with key ministries, including finance, labour and social security, housing and
urban development and commerce, industry and trade to discuss possible
solutions.
Director of MSME Mluleki
Dlamini presented senators with a proposed model for MSME Finance Relief which
he said was currently being developed by government.
Elsewhere, the Swazi Ministry
of Commerce, Industry and Trade has closed 52 businesses for failure to observe
the partial lockdown regulations. The lockdown began on 27 March 2020.
Minister of Commerce,
Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said in a statement that
some companies deliberately contravened the measures. These included not having
protective clothing or sanitisers.
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
Swaziland
to destroy 224,000 bottles of beer because of coronavirus lockdown
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