Several manufacturers have said they have yet to receive money from the UIF for their employees.
Moda Shoes is a family footwear retailer with 3 stores in Pretoria.
       "It seems that UIF payments have started to filter through to some factories," SAFLIA director Jirka Vymetal said, "but they also battle to get through to the UIF COVID helpline. So that doesn’t help.
       "This week I sent a list to the commissioner, Mr. Teboho Maruping, via Ms. Eunice Mazibuko, of our members who applied and who provided me with the info I requested. I too have not had a response. The reason for my (SAFLIA’s) intervention with the Commissioner was to see if somehow things could be fast tracked for our members."
       On April 17, in response to a query from S&V, Marthie Raphael, chairperson of the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry, said it had received payments: "The agreement between the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry and the UIF was a historical agreement and we knew at the time of concluding the agreement that it is not perfect and that there may be some administrational burdens to overcome.
       "We have been working extensively with the UIF and can confirm that payments have been made and will continue to be made during the coming period.
       "The COVID-19 agreement between Employers and Trade Union as has been published in the Government Gazette, has mostly been implemented, while some items are in the process of being operationalised."

Once Government and the Health department announce the lifting or partial lifting of the lockdown and declare it safe to re-open the factories, our industry will then be allowed back to work. However, it is envisaged that to do this there will be a need to put certain new procedures and regulations in place, to ensure the safety of everybody returning to work.
       FLIC has put together the attached document, which will serve to guide you on the new recommended guidelines which will need to be implemented prior to re-opening and post re-opening. Please peruse the attached document and start to plan your re-opening strategy accordingly. There is quite a lot to consider. We suggest advance planning for the implementation of these guidelines whilst still on lockdown, so as not to lose time when the green light is given.
See regulations

Talks around local sourcing also to continue
Cape Town, W Cape, SA – Chain retailers are expecting "some relief" from government in terms of a resumption of trade, and the National Clothing Retail Federation of SA is suggesting models which would allow that without compromising the health measures of the lockdown, executive director Michael Lawrence said on Friday, but he said the federation didn't expect the government to announce any changes before the end of this week "at the earliest".
       "Trading models for post lockdown are being considered by retail and landlords.
       "Changes to the current situation will probably be in stages, and may include a blend of online and conventional shopping. Whatever solutions are arrived at will be quite a disciplined operation, for staff and consumers. Some retailers have operations in other parts of the world, and have practical advice on how other countries are easing restrictions on apparel retailing."
       He said measures could include thermal scanners to measure the temperature of shoppers as they enter shopping centres, only allowing shoppers wearing masks, limiting customers from trying on certain clothing, and limiting numbers  in malls and stores. He said the information the federation had was that the virus did not survive as long on fabric as it did, for example, on the metal, glass or plastic containers in supermarkets, but the Department of Health would need to offer guidelines nationally.
       "Retailing does need to happen soon, to get product off the shelves which has been there too long.
       "In terms of available stock, there's probably enough, locally and imported, to last a couple of months.
       "In terms of local manufacturing, there need to be conversations to create support mechanisms for bigger manufacturers, and again there probably need to be exemptions from the Competition Act to allow several chains being supplied by a particular manufacturer to all assist in keeping it going, economically and sustainably." - michaell@ncrf.org

Wholesaler/retailer London Shoes has 4 stores in the Western Cape, each with a different landlord, and each has reacted differently, director Maon Saxe said.
       "Landlord 1 is Redefine," he said, "and they've been excellent. Before the lockdown was extended, they offered a 70% discount on the rental for April, excluding operational costs like lights and water. Now that it's been extended to the end of the month, I'm hoping they will let me off the rent entirely, but not the other costs.
       "Landlord 2 offered a 50% discount. Landlord 3 hasn't responded at all.
       "But Landlord 4, which is a JSE-listed entity with an R11 billion property portfolio, initially offered no discount at all. They did offer to let me pay off the April rent over 6 months, but that doesn't help because I have had no turnover at all. Finally, after lots and lots of emails from me, and after I went on a radio talk show - which was probably what did it - they've offered me a 75% rent reduction for April.
       "The point I want to make to other retailers is: 'Be persistent. Don't give up. Paying staff is the first priority'."

Family outfitting mini-chain Brandz has 6 stores on the KZN South Coast, all with different landlords.
       "I've asked all of them for a waiver of rents for April," member Naseem Essack said. "1 of them has offered less 50%, but I've responded with an alternative proposal. I'm still waiting to hear from the other 5.
       "Some of the rentals include utilities, but where they don't, I have paid the utility bills, which are for March, and I will pay the April bills when they are due."

Lifestyle mini-chain Crossover has 12 stores in malls including Sandton City, Easgate, Menlyn, Canal Walk and Gateway.
       "We've put out a letter to all of them saying we will discuss rents when we get back," said member Hashim Ismail. "Initially, when the lockdown was for 3 weeks, there were some offers from them, but with the extension, we're not prepared to discuss anything until trade actually starts again."

Moda Shoes is a family footwear retailer with 3 stores in Pretoria.
       "I haven’t had any communication from landlords yet specific to my rentals," member Matthew Boltman said.."Only general mails with not much information."

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA (April 08, 2020) – Dr Jaywant Irkhede, Director: Leather & Footwear at the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), last week forwarded more announcements:

Due to the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to curb the spread of COVID-19, the National Treasury in support of the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) calls on all compliant, particularly local, suppliers providing commodities listed below to direct their offers to the PMO set up for this purpose. The submissions will be assessed by the support team responsible for coordinating the process, exclusively for the identified commodities.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) descriptions: (Items 11, 12 and 13 were erroneously omitted in the previous communication.)
1. Disposable aprons
2. Protective surgical gowns
3. Protective eyewear
4. Surgical gloves
5. Overshoes
6. Protective hoods
7. Biohazard bags
8. Ventilators
9. Alcohol-Cleaning, disinfectants – clinical
10. Venturi masks
11. Protective Respirators / N95 masks/ FFP2 masks
12. Surgical mask with visor / separate face shield
13. Surgical mask - 3ply

Detailed information should be provided for the above items and submitted directly to the email covid19supplies@businessresponsecovid19.co.za.
The submission should include the following information:
- Supplier name,
- Company registration,
- Central Supplier Database number (CSD),
- Indication of products that can be supplied.

National Treasury continues to advise suppliers to be vigilant during this time and not submit their information to would-be scammers. Suppliers are advised to always first verify with relevant departments before supplying any goods.
The submission through this process does not in any manner or form waive the requirements for compliance outlined in the Central Supplier Database (CSD). Enquiries: Communications Unit Email: media@treasury.gov.za Tel: (012) 315 5046