Cement measure will create jobs

THE government’s National Treasury Department recently announced the banning of imported cement.

This means that as from November 4, all tenders will only be awarded to construction companies for government building projects on condition they use locally produced cement manufactured with local material and labour.

This bold move will have a positive impact on saving jobs and creating many more. There are many similar labour-intensive major South African industries that have been hard hit by imports and have led to thousands losing their jobs.

Over the years some of the industries that suffered the impact of imports were food and beverage, poultry and meat, clothing, textiles and footwear.

Government doing nothing to protect our local industries has resulted in massive job losses, with almost half of the workforce being unemployed.

The harsh reality of the Covid-19 lockdown has taught ordinary South Africans that for over 18 months they were forced to adapt to a different lifestyle. This tells us that people can carry on living without some of their favourite commodities.

As things get back to normal, let us hope the government implements more stringent rules to protect local industries.

This will also create employment that is the life blood of the economy, which is in a dire state.

VIJAY SEWTAHAL

Clare Estate