Food parcels, relief fund for waste pickers
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries will request funding from the Solidarity Fund to assist hundreds of waste pickers who will be without income during the national lockdown.
Minister Barbara Creecy says the consequence of recyclables not being included in the list of the essential services is waster pickers cannot continue to work during the lockdown.
The economic cluster of ministers briefed the media on the revised lockdown regulations on Friday evening.
Creecy was joined by Ministers Ronald Lamola, Fikile Mbalula, Gwede Mantashe and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
Creecy said the department has been in consultations with the Two Man Waste Picker Associations.
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"Accordingly, we do find that there are hundreds of waste pickers who are currently experiencing situations of extreme hardships.
"Following consultations with the Two Man Waste Picker Associations, we have taken the decision to submit a proposal of relief to the National Solidarity Fund.”
She added that while that proposal is being processed National Consumer Goods Council and its members will distribute food parcels to the pickers.
"In the meantime, to alleviate hunger we have approached the National Consumer Goods Council, who are in the process of discussing an intervention of food parcels - with immediate effect - to waste pickers."
On Thursday government also relaxed regulations on informal trading.