Construction Industry News and Views Edition 182 01 June 2020
Dear Members and Readers
The Association welcomes the full reactivation of construction under Alert Level 3 as announced by the Honourable President Cyril Ramaphosa and the subsequent release of Level 3 Regulations.
Restrictions imposed due to the lockdown impacted severely on the already ailing construction industry, and a full reactivation under Level 3 may just be the saving grace. There is no doubt that tough times still lie ahead and the focus is now on recovery and the sustainability of our sector. It is not going to be business as usual and the industry must embrace the strict health and safety protocols to keep the construction sites and workforce protected from the spread of the virus.
The formation of the Construction COVID -19 Rapid Response Task Team with the collective participation of some 33 organisations in the industry saw several proposals and comments to key Government Ministers addressing issues of clarity on Regulations, the reactivation of the construction industry and the measures for a more sustainable industry post the lockdown.
To assist members to maintain the required standard, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal are pleased to launch a COVID-19 site induction video, which can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE. We trust that this video will assist our members with the application of COVID-19 health and safety measures on site.
Our Members welcomed the announcement of a membership fee discount and revised statements are being sent out to members. The Association values your loyalty and support and we remain committed to service excellence to our members. In addition, Member Forum meetings featuring experts were held focussing on the contractual and legal and health and safety aspects relating to COVID-19.
The year has flown by quickly and Members are reminded that the Annual General meetings will take place online via Microsoft Teams. We look forward to your participation.
In this month’s edition, we provide clarity on matters around COVID-19 appointments in terms of the Disaster Management Act and COVID-19 Directives. We also learn about the realities of business rescue and how you can avoid risk as a subcontractor, as well as the effect of COVID-19 on retirement funds. The Association is also proud to announce the implementation of online construction-related courses, available at competitive rates.
The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health Clinics are available for bookings and offers free COVID-19 screening with all medicals booked, alternatively at a nominal fee. Get your office or site ready for Level 3 by ordering COVID-19 signage from the Print Studio. Café Indaba now offers a delivery and drive through feature for patrons - simply place your order and then collect from our premises.
We urge you to remain astute and vigilant during this time and ensure that all relevant precautions are in place. Stay safe!
Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director
Membership News
To ensure that members were kept abreast of the latest developments since the lockdown was imposed the Association sent out regular ebulletin notices with updated information. The Membership Services team also provided members with ongoing telephonic and email support relating to COVID-19 and other compliance matters.
As the woes of the construction industry multiply, due to several factors mentioned over the past few months amplified by the International lockdown due to COVID-19, the main contractor’s financial stability is even more precarious than before.
The Regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act set out specific measures that employers are required to take to protect their employees in the workplace from COVID-19. According to Regulations 5 (4) (e) and 47 (1) (a) as well as Clause 16(5) of the COVID-19 Directives on Health and Safety in the Workplace, the employer must designate an employee in writing, as a Compliance Manager, Officer and Employee whose duties, amongst other things, are to ensure that...
In late 2019 the Supreme Court of Appeal (“SCA”) was called upon to deal with the question as to whether an arbitration award was unenforceable for want of having achieved finality in relation to the issues referred to arbitration. The arbitration arose out of a dispute between shareholders in a company. The shareholders agreement between the parties required disputes to be determined by arbitration.
eLearning on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework
The COVID-19 crisis has caused enormous disruption to the lives of all South Africans, and has impacted on Skills Development. A challenge that currently faces us in this time of social distancing is the need for training associated with a majority of qualifications and trades on the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF) to be conducted face-to-face.
The impact of COVID-19 On South African Retirement Funds
The COVID-19 crisis has taken a major toll on the world’s economy, and has battered stock markets since the virus started spreading globally. Investment value was eroded and industries across sectors were financially impacted by the lockdown restrictions implemented to curb the spread of the virus.
Contact Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Print Studio to place your order for COVID-19 workplace readiness posters and safety signs on ABS or Chromadek for offices and sites. We also offer a variety of vinyl stickers that can be customised for your workplace. Add your company logo and contact details to customise your signage.
Contact the Print Studio on 031 831 3235 or 084 774 9743.
Essential COVID-19 supplies and screening now available
The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health Clinic has COVID-19 supplies available, if your company is interested please contact Elishya Abbu on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 083 704 0401 for information on pricing, pictures and quotes. COVID-19 screening will be charged at a nominal fee of R100 per test, including VAT. The Occupational Health Clinic is also offering FREE COVID-19 screening with all medicals booked.
Members who have current contracts that make provision for Contract Price Adjustment are able to download the latest published indices from Statistics South Africa by clicking on the following link.
