Spar staff demand Corona testing
‘unsafe’: Staff called for tests ‘unsafe’: Staff called for tests
The Superspar store at Khayelitsha Mall has agreed to test all their workers privately for Covid-19 after workers downed tools on Friday demanding to be tested.
This after two staff members tested positive for the Coronavirus.
One worker was sent home after having a high temperature and later tested positive.
According to a statement by the store, the Western Cape Department of Health informed them that two staff members at the Khayelitsha branch tested positive.
Shop steward Silulami Masiza from the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU), said other employees were concerned that they might have contracted the virus and demanded to be tested.
“The workers are worried and they wanted the employer to pay for the testing of the workers,” he said.
CONCERN: Khayelitsha Superspar agreed to tests
The workers also revealed that they only received gloves recently and do not feel safe at work.
“We have no medical aid, and no incentive for risking our lives. We are just called essential workers for nothing,” said one man.
In a statement, the supermarket said they were cleared to reopen today, but chose to test workers first at cost to the company.
“All the necessary protocols and procedures have been followed and completed as requested by the Western Cape Government and the Department of Health.”
Superspar Khayelitsha owner Kokkie Crous confirmed testing will take place today at the store and they will only open once the results are in, which usually take a day or two.
Khayelitsha currently has 51 confirmed cases of Covid-19.