‘We are facing an economic firestorm’: Cosatu call for Level 3 lockdown

With the nationwide lockdown now in its seventh week, calls are rising from South African citizens, as well as political parties, for measures to be relaxed to facilitate an economic resurgence. 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is the latest organisation to throw its weight behind such calls, and have on Monday 12 May said that the lockdown should be relaxed as soon ass possible to Level 3 – but only when it is safe to do so.

Lockdown ‘unsustainable’  

Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla told The South African that easing the lockdown laws is vitally necessary, but insisted that in order to do so, government needs to act quickly and ensure that the healthcare, transport and security systems are ready for it. 

“Our position is that at Level 5, this economy was functioning at 20% capacity,” he said. “That is not sustainable. We are borrowing money, diverting resources, giving out stipends, spending Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) surplus. That can only be treated as temporary. 

“We are doing is because we have an option to do it. Lets use this period to fix what needs to be fixed. Let us develop healthcare, transport, buy personal protective equipment (PPE) and produce them ourselves. Let’s develop new ways of working in the workplaces so we can move to Level 3.”

He said that just because many are growing tired of the measures doesn’t mean government should hurry to a “quick fix” solution, but insisted that the move needs to happen sooner rather than later once everything is in place. 

“The fact that we are frustrated doesn’t mean the virus cares. If we are reckless, people will die. We must do what we can and do it fast.”

“We are facing an economic firestorm. Millions of jobs will be lost. It will cost them their livelihoods. We will then need to protect those who survive the virus from the new challenge – poverty.”

Extended lockdown will cause unprecedented hunger

Pamla said that government will begin losing support for the measures they put in place as people become hungrier and increasingly desperate. 

“We must appreciate that the lockdown on its own is not a solution.”

“Once people get hungry, they will not cooperate. You will have lost an opportunity and momentum. We must be focused and efficient and do what needs needs to be done so that we don’t prolong this lockdown.”