Cape Argus reports that according to a recent survey, South Africans are less concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic and more about unemployment and the state of the economy.  

The survey by GfK South Africa reflected consumer sentiment and behaviour during level 4 of the lockdown.  A representative sample of 450 online SA consumers were interviewed.  Rachel Thompson of GfK SA reported:  “Around 86% of respondents said they were extremely concerned about unemployment compared to 80% in GfK’s survey during the level 5 lockdown.  By comparison, 66% said they were extremely worried about Covid-19, down from 80% in level 5, when the virus was their top concern.  Some 74% said they were extremely concerned about an economic crisis during level 4.”  Almost half of the respondent - 46% - said they expected their work situation to be worse after the crisis, and 68% expected many small businesses to close.  Most - 79% - predicted that working from home would become the norm.  Only 21% of those surveyed were working as per usual and 52% highlighted that prices of the goods they usually bought had significantly increased.  

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mwangi Githahu at Cape Argus
• Read too, Lockdown food prices up 30%, at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page