The Liquor Bill currently before the South African National Assembly trade and industry committee threatens the job security of 20% of all employees at SABMiller, the company said in a submission on Tuesday.
“Approximately 20% of all employees at SABMiller work in distribution. The job security of these 1 119 people is threatened by the proposed legislation. There are also 248 owner-drivers working with SAB, each employing a minimum crew of four people and the livelihood of these 1 240 people would also be threatened.”
This is a total of nearly 2 400 jobs on the line.
“From the perspective of owner-drivers, who are predominantly historically disadvantaged persons, the Bill could unlawfully infringe their right to conduct their trade,” said SABMiller.
In addition to owner-drivers, many SAB depots have out-sourced other functions such as truck and trailer maintenance and security.
“All these businesses are threatened,” the company said in the submission to members of parliament. The committee, which is conducting public hearings on the Bill, is chaired by the African National Congress’s Rob Davies.
In terms of schedule three of the Bill, a manufacturer that is deemed to be registered must dispose of all its interests in any person registered or deemed to be registered as a distributor, micro-manufacturer or seller of liquor for consumption with three years of the date of the commencement of this legislation. – I-Net Bridge