Construction Industry News and Views - August 2020
Construction Industry News and Views Edition 184 03 August 2020
Dear Members and Readers
The Stats SA Quarterly financial figures ending March 2020 reflected a 9.9% decrease in construction turnover from the last quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020. The construction industry challenges were further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the reactivation of the entire construction industry under Level 3 was a welcome relief for the industry, having learnt many valuable lessons in its efforts to resuscitate projects under the new normal.
Members continue to experience challenges stemming from the pandemic and the Association has been relentless in its efforts to provide the support and guidance to members. During August 2020, the Association will be hosting various online member meetings with experts in their respective fields and members are encouraged to join.
The Strategic Integrated Infrastructure Projects list was gazetted on 24 July 2020, followed by a press briefing by Minister Patricia de Lille. It was noted that 276 projects were collected and assessed, of which 50 projects and 12 additional special projects were gazetted. It was indicated that there would be a single point of entry for all infrastructure projects through Infrastructure South Africa and the new methodology was known as Sustainable Infrastructure Development System (SIDS).
The Association proudly announces the introduction of an assessment process for recognition of skills acquired for workers employed in the construction sector. Construction workers who have not acquired sufficient skills to apply for a trade test or to be tested against a part-qualification, may be assessed by an accredited assessor against the aspects of a trade in which they are most likely to be deemed competent as part of the process. See further information in this edition of the newsletter.
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal have engaged with Builders (Massbuild) on possible synergies aimed at providing additional value to our members. It gives us great pleasure to announce that all members who have registered an online profile via the Builders website will be entitled to a 2.5% global discount on their purchases. The Association will be sending out communication on this exclusive member offer.
In this issue, we urge members to assess the project risk profile when tendering for a project and to take cognisance of the factors to be considered. The membership news article covers some of the challenges experienced post lockdown in the industry. In the article ‘Dealing with COVID-19 on site’, we provide tips to prevent lengthy workplace closure in the event of a COVID-19 case. Members are also reminded that the tax season is upon us and SARS has implemented automated tax assessments. Members will also be delighted to know that CIDB gradings 2 to 9 can now be renewed via email.
Stay safe and enjoy your newsletter.
Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director
Membership News
While the Association has retained the bulk of its members, the impact of COVID-19 continues to hinder the industry with many of our members having experienced several challenges since lockdown was implemented. General construction in the industry has been slow, as preparations to open up projects for the commencement of construction with the COVID-19 health and safety protocols is time consuming for businesses.
In these challenging times it is imperative for a contractor to identify the risks in tendering for a project. If a project has a higher risk profile, then the contractor should apportion higher costs to this project in order to mitigate the risk. In order to establish the risk profile, the client, professional team, project and company resources need to be considered.
Recognition of skills acquired through the issuing of a skills card
It is recognised that many construction workers acquire various skills whilst working. These skills are however rarely recognised because no formal assessment has taken place. The many quality structures that exist around us are evidence of these skills.
In the event of a positive COVID-19 case on site, complete project stoppage for deep cleaning has become a hot topic in the industry. This issue was raised during a recent meeting with relevant industry stakeholders. This article provides guidelines for dealing with a positive case, and outlines requirements for all parties involved to disinfect and reopen the site.
CIDB - Renewals by email for grade 2 to 9 registration
Contractors can now use email to apply for 3-year renewal of grade 2 to 9 CIDB registration! The CIDB have announced that they now accept emailed applications from contractors to perform a three-year renewal in Grades 2 to 9. The intention is to simplify the process and make registration much more convenient.
The tax season which usually commences in July each year will now begin effectively during September 2020 as SARS implements a more automated solution for tax assessments. Many taxpayers will be assessed automatically this year and tax returns will be completed with relevant information from one’s employer, bank, medical scheme, retirement annuity administrator and other third parties.
The recruitment process is rather complex and time consuming as it involves searching and attracting potential candidates to fill vacant positions within organisations. This is done through a multitude of platforms which can be onerous to the company. Recruitment agencies fill this specific need by screening and shortlisting the best candidates to fill the company’s needs based on the job specification and description.
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.
