Businesses in Zimbabwe have called upon the government not to extend the 21-day lockdown but to partially open up the economy saying an extension will result in massive job losses.
The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), is lobbying the government to allow businesses to resume operations immediately.
In its report submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, ZNCC forecasted that 25 per cent of permanent jobs and 75 per cent of casual/temporary formal jobs will be lost if the lockdown period is extended. The report reads in part:
If the total lockdown is extended without resorting to partial lockdown some of the leisure and tourism operators might completely collapse.
With Government having set the minimum wage, affordability by businesses is going to be a challenge as businesses adjust due to the effects of COVID-19.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government would make an announcement before Monday regarding a possible extension.
South Africa and Namibia recently extended their lockdowns in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, with Zimbabwe expected to follow suit.
These business are really crazy; how can they call for a relaxation of the lockdown at a time when cases are on the increase? It’s better we lockdown than allow the spread of the disease; we are in a war with the disease and, just like in any war, there’s bound to be losses of whatever kind, business included – it only calls for unfettered resilience. Forgive me for saying but the current thinking by the business community is utter foolishness.