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Department of Labour Minister Thembelani Thulas Nxesi
Photo: Twitter/@NxesiThuli

Nxesi accused of ‘drowning’ beauty industry with extended bargaining deal

The beauty industry has not been operational since South Africa went under lockdown in March.

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Department of Labour Minister Thembelani Thulas Nxesi
Photo: Twitter/@NxesiThuli

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has urged Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi to withdraw the bargaining deal extended to “non-parties” in the beauty industry on Friday.

Salons and other haircare establishments have been closed since South Africa went into lockdown in March, and are yet to be permitted to reopen even under Alert Level 3 lockdown. This is despite many sectors of the economy returning to business from the beginning of the month.

Extended regulations for beauty industry 

On Friday, Nxesi extended a bargaining deal reached in the National Bargaining Council for the Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty, and Skincare Industry in March to non-parties via notice in the updated Government Gazette.

The Gazette states that all beauty establishment should either be run by or employ at least one qualified technician in whatever field they specialise in, and also stipulates the minimum wage and maximum working hours for casual workers.

This is set to come into effect from 22 June, and comes despite the industry not being operational for close to three months.

The DA has taken the matter to court and, on Saturday, called on Nxesi to reconsider the deal which it says has landed a further blow to the industry.

“His latest move will destroy the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of employers and employees who work in salons, barbershops and personal care establishments,” DA MP Dr Michael Cardo said in a statement.

Dr Michael Cardo, Shadow Minister of Employment and Labour

He added;

“Most small business owners in the sector cannot afford to give effect to these demands. They will be bankrupted by them. They have had no income for three months. They are already struggling to keep their heads above water. And now, Minister Nxesi has left them to sink and drown.”

Dr Michael Cardo, DA Shadow Minister of Employment and Labour
 

The DA is currently in a legal battle with national government over the ban on hairdressers and personal care services under lockdown.

The courtroom showdown is set to resume on 22 June.