The trade union Uasa is working with the bargaining council and employers to make sure beauty salons can open their doors as quickly as possible.
The National Bargaining Council for Hairdressers, Cosmetics, Beauty and Skin Care (HCSBC), the Hairdressers, Cosmetics and Beauty (EOHCB) Employers’ Organization and UASA are constantly working and have been in discussions with the government since the last part of Risk Level 5 to make sure employees can return to work.
The organizations said in a joint statement that the talks take place interactively and constructively so that a legal battle will not be necessary.
“Thanks to the relentless efforts of these three organizations, the government has now indicated that it is finalizing the health protocol for hairdressers, cosmetics, beauty and skincare. Once the protocol, which is essential to curb the spread of Covid-19, has been completed, personal care services will be able to resume. “
The industry was hit hard by economic problems due to the shutdown period. Operations have been closed for more than two months and everything is apparently being done to make sure that the industry can resume as quickly as possible.
The HCSBC, EOHCB and UASA submitted an 87-page submission at the end of level 5 to motivate the industry to resume. The submission was submitted to the National Governing Council and Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade and Industry. It was rejected and the National Governing Council was satisfied with its decision that the economic problems of persons in the industry did not outweigh that faced by other industries.
“Obviously it would be very difficult to persuade the National Governing Council to reconsider its decision and even if the HCSBC, EOHCB and UASA would turn to court, there would be no chance of success. This was confirmed in the Cape Town High Court when an application by Adv. Carlo Viljoen was rejected. In his personal capacity on May 28, he submitted an application to obtain a court order for hairdressers to return to work on May 28. “
The organizations submitted further documentation to the government when it was announced on May 22 that level 3 would come into effect on June 1. The health protocol and guidelines that were to be followed were outlined to ensure the safety of employees and customers. A video was also submitted to explain how the protocol would be applied.
“When the level 3 regulations were published on May 28, the HCSBC, EOHCB and UASA were again disappointed to hear that the industry could not reopen. However, the regulations provided that specific personal care services could resume, subject to the development and implementation of health protocol. “
The organizations have since taken advantage of the opportunity and worked relentlessly to make sure the industry could resume.
