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It’s back to work for domestic workers
Level 3 of the national lockdown starts on Monday, June 1 at which time all domestic workers will be allowed to go back to work during Alert Level 3, cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma confirmed on Thursday. People will have to adhere to protocols, which must still include physical distancing and wearing …
But many South African households may still be cautious. “It is absolutely vital that it be done in those circumstances where it can be done safely,” explains Ebrahim Patel, minister for trade, industry, and competition.
While draft regulations included the proviso that domestic workers had to use private transport, this is not included in the final regulations. There are no restrictions on transport. Where possible, private transport should be arranged for the cleaners.
“Domestic workers are a support structure for those who must go back to work under Level 3”, said Dlamini-Zuma. Only live-in domestic staff and childminders in private households – as well as those caring for the sick, mentally ill, elderly and people with disabilities – had been allowed to return to work as part of Level 4 rules.
- It is estamated that there are more than 1 million domestic workers in South Africa, and many have been left without an income during the lockdown.
