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Mitchells Plain Labour Centre together with its satellite office in Nyanga, will remain closed for an additional week after another employee tested positive with the COVID-19 virus.  Paarl Labour Centre also since confirmed a case and the office has been closed from today.

The labour centres will remain closed to allow workers who may have been in contact with the affected employees to self isolate and for decontamination to take place.

According to the Chief Director: Provincial Operations, Mawele Ntamo, the officials have interacted with other employees who were working at the labour centres. The affected employees will now self-isolate and also be referred for counselling.  To date, offices have been conducting regular assessments of staff which includes daily health checks and temperature screening. 

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) head office based in Pretoria also closed its doors today as an employee has tested positive for the virus.   It is expected that the closure of the UIF office will impact on the operations as the Fund, however payment of benefits will continue.

Thobile Lamati, Director-General of the Department has previously stated that the safety of staff remain paramount. “Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible.", he said.

Several labour offices around the country have been affected by the COVID-19 virus this month.  Just last week, services were able to resume again in Vredenburg in the Western Cape and East London in the Eastern Cape after both were closed due to the COVID-19 virus. 

It is expected that Paarl Labour Centre will open on the 22 June, whilst Mitchells Plain Labour Centre, Nyanga Satellite Office as well as the UIF will open to the public again on Thursday, 25 June 2020.  Clients are encouraged to make use of the Department's online services in the meantime.

The case has also since been reported to the Department of Health.    

For media enquiries contact:                

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

“Please continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations. Wash hands, sanitise and wear your mask.

-ENDS- 

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​