Essential Services In South Africa

Essential services may refer to a class of occupations that have been legislated by a government to have special restrictions in regard to labour actions such as not being allowed to strike. The International Labour Office, a United Nations agency, distinguishes an essential service from a minimum service.

Essential Services In South Africa

Here are all 7 jobs which are considered ‘essential services’ during South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown:

The Department of Cooperative and Government Affairs has published new regulations which outline the ‘essential services’ which will be allowed to continue working during South Africa’s 21-day coronavirus lockdown.

Companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies will remain open during the 21-day ‘lockdown’, president Cyril Ramaphosa announced during his national address on Monday (23 March).

These personnel will be exempted from the stay-home provisions as they are vital for continued functioning of these companies during the lockdown, he said.

The regulations make provisions for the following 28 jobs:

Medical, health (including mental health), laboratory and medical services;

Disaster management, fire prevention, fire fighting and emergency services;

Financial services necessary to maintain the functioning of the banking and payments environment, including the JSE and similar exchanges, as well as insurance services.

Production and sales of the goods (related to food, cleaning and hygiene products, medical products, fuel and basic goods such as airtime and electricity).
Grocery stores, including spaza shops.

Electricity, water, gas and fuel production, supply and maintenance

Critical jobs for essential government services as determined by the Head of National or Provincial Departments

Birth and death certificates and replacement ID documents

What is an essential need In South Africa?

Essential needs means basic human needs for sustenance including but not limited to food, water, and health care, e.g., medications, therapies, testing, and durable medical equipment.

Is essential the same as necessary In South Africa?

“Essential” and “necessary” are words which are used in different circumstances. “Essential” is “something without which we cannot do” and “necessary” is “something which is important but we can do without it.” The word “essential” is used as an adjective and a noun.

What is defined as an urgent requirement for something that is essential In South Africa?

something necessary or indispensable: food, shelter, and other necessities of life. the fact of being necessary or indispensable; indispensability: the necessity of adequate housing. an imperative requirement or need for something: the necessity for a quick decision.