Liquor Traders: Booze ban putting 1 million jobs on the line
The alcohol industry has again raised concern over the growth of the illicit industry amid the ban on the sale of booze.
This comes after more than a week since the institution of a blanket ban on the sale and distribution of alcohol.
Convener for the Liquor Traders Formation Lucky Ntimane has called on law enforcement to clamp on the illegal trade.
“The current lockdown environment we find ourselves in encourages network of alcohol smugglers to fill in the vacuum created of unmet consumer demand for alcoholic products.”
He further lamented the loss of livelihoods over the period.
Ntimane estimates some 1 million jobs are on the line.
“One million jobs across the full alcohol value chain are at risk and the taverns support township-based jobs that anchor households and ensure that more than 250,000 families have meals on their tables daily.
“The current lockdown means over 250,000 families do not know where their next meal is going to come from or how they will have means to prepare for their back-to-school needs,” Ntimane adds.
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The current ban is the third since the start of the lockdown in March.
“With the last two bans cover 165 000 people have already lost their jobs and another 100 000 people moving into poverty as a result of the alcohol bans.”
Ntimane calls for government to give the industry a lifeline.
“Our call to government is to immediately consider the following allow off-premise sales with limited days and hours with effect from the 16th January, as this will further support government efforts in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic as it will encourage at home consumption of liquor whilst ensuring that liquor traders’ livelihoods are maintained and a financial package for liquor traders to cover their non-trading loses to the value not less than R20,000.”
