Alcohol ban has cost 118,000 jobs, says industry with appeal to open during level 3 lockdown
Legal alcohol industry key to tackling illicit economy and more efficient than investing in enforcement, says group that includes world's top beer companies
23 May 2020 - 12:27
The alcohol industry, which supports one-million jobs and contributes 3% to SA's GDP, says it cannot sustain the ban on its ability to trade anymore and that large-scale retrenchments will become inevitable.
"With no/minimal revenue for eight weeks and no certainty of the future, the industry cannot sustain the ban any further and job cuts are a harsh reality," the liquor industry said in a statement late on Friday. "We hope the gravity of the current situation is taken into serious consideration by decision makers, as the livelihoods of many people rest in their hands."..
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.