southafricalogoBusiness Report writes that as the government reopens the economy and eases the Covid-19 lockdown, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) plans to close down companies that flout regulations designed to protect the well-being of employees.  

Lionel October, director-general of the department, told MPs on Friday that the government had adopted a “no mercy” approach to firms that did not adhere to the regulations.  He said:  “The essential workers are most exposed.  People working in the health sector and people working in the retail sector are vulnerable.  We are adopting an approach where worker safety and protection is imperative.  We are adopting an approach where we are saying there is no mercy.  If people do not implement these regulations properly, they will close down.”  October went on to indicate:  The social contract is that we will have an opening of the economy on condition of protective measures being in place to protect employees.”  On another matter, October advised that the department aimed to create jobs by procuring 20-million masks from clothing manufacturers that would be used by schools.  He also said the department had launched a ventilator programme in the fight against Covid-19.


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