| Joburg's World Cup shutdown |
Thursday, June 10, 2010 |
Joburg will be a ghost town tomorrow as many companies shut up shop and allow employees to head to the nearest TV set to watch the soccer spectacle.
While some have made arrangements for staff members to watch the opening ceremony and the match between Bafana Bafana and Mexico at Soccer City at work, Business Unity SA (Busa) has urged employers to give workers time off.
"It remains essential for the South African economy to be fully functional during the World Cup period, (but) Busa appeals to employers and businesses, wherever possible, to give staff and workers time off to recognise and participate in the launch of this unique sports event," said Busa deputy CEO Raymond Parsons. Keith Brebnor, the CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce, said they were letting their staff off at 1pm tomorrow. He has also invited them to watch the event on the big screens at their lobby lounge in the Sandton Convention Centre.
"Our businesses are playing ball. Some have to be flexible about it because it's not going to be a productive day anyway. But there are some who can't because they have a business to run," said Brebnor.
City of Joburg spokesman Gabu Tugwana said all entities, including Pikitup, City Power and Joburg Water, would be fully operational.
Standard Bank spokesman Ross Lindstrom confirmed that staff would be allowed to go home at 2pm, but that branch closure was at the discretion of each manager.
It will be business as usual for FNB workers. But spokeswoman Virginia Makgapatona said staff would not lose out on the games as there would be TVs at the branches.
Absa spokesman Patrick Wadula declined to comment while no media person at Nedbank was available to give a response.
IBM's HR head, Cathy Smith, said: "This (World Cup) is a demonstration of business as usual at IBM.
"We have a robust infrastructure where we can do our job anywhere. We have mobile staff who work all over the place."
Telkom acting human resources chief JC Smit said: "Employees may be granted time off from 1pm at the discretion of their respective managers."
Vodacom has made provision for its staff members to leave their offices at 1pm tomorrow, but because many people will be relying on its network, some will remain on duty and will be granted time off during other games.
Cell C employees will work normal hours, but there will be big screens in their offices. Call centre operators will work as normal.
Employees at MTN will leave at noon. "However... call centre operations, service centres and branded stores will remain operating," said a spokesperson.
Chamber of Mines staff would work until 11am, said spokesman Jabu Maphalala.
Sipho Neke, Eskom media relations officer, said Eskom workers would be working tomorrow: "There will be no half or off day."
Trains are expected to run as normal, with no special allowances. Various unions, including Cosatu and several of its affiliates, were unaware of special arrangements regarding time off.
A director at Shoprite, Brian Weyers, said they had made arrangements to accommodate staff members by adapting the duty schedules in stores.
A BMW spokesman said their local manufacturing plant outside Pretoria would be closing at 12.25pm, but added: "We'll catch up the production on non-Bafana days."
BMW has not advised its dealers on what to do tomorrow, because they are individual businesses and the decision will be up to them.Natasja Jackson of Peugeot SA said: "Employees will not be working tomorrow. They'll be watching the kick-off match on our premises, where they'll be having their own private screening." Despite several attempts, the Post Office did not respond to calls.
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