Construction sector eager to make 2021 a prosperous year



01-12-2020
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Bizcommunity.com
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The negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent hard national lockdown cannot be overstated when it comes to the construction industry. The economic shock brought on by the two-month work suspension has caused great hardship for all operating in and around the sector. After a turbulent 2020, the construction sector is eager to make 2021 a much more prosperous year.

We are encouraged that while the country remains on Level 1 of the government’s risk-adjusted strategy, it is now operational again, albeit in a limited capacity. The recent Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) and supplementary Medium-term Budget Policy Statement (MTMPS) expanded on the government’s medium to long-term plans for the economy. These timely strategic and policy statements have helped to address some of the uncertainty in the market.

Government’s prioritisation of our industry, given the labour-intensive nature of the construction industry and its ability to reinvigorate the economy, is further reassurance this year-end. We note and welcome the government’s renewed commitment to regulatory reforms and its efforts to ease and reduce the cost of doing business.

According to a recent Databuild survey, many construction industry stakeholders are breaking with tradition and opting to keep their doors open over the December holiday period...

Annual builders’ holiday

This December will be unlike any in recent memory for the industry, as contractors try and make up for the lost time during the period of lockdown. Conventionally in South Africa, the building industry has closed for business from mid-December and reopened in early January as part of the ‘builders’ holiday’. This year, the Rapid Response Task Team has recommended that the builders’ holiday extend for only five business days, 24 December 2020 until 5 January 2021. The shortened break is intended to ensure that people can earn a livelihood.

That said, the annual shutdown in the Western Cape region is governed by the Building Industries Bargaining Council (BIBC). The council has confirmed the annual shutdown in the Cape Peninsula as starting on Friday afternoon, 11 December 2020 and ending on Monday morning, 11 January 2021. The council, having due regard for the amount of time lost during the year and the economic hardship that this has caused, has provided for an exemption process to be followed by those local employers who wish to work later than 11 December and start up before 11 January. A number of local contractors have already applied for permission to be exempted from the stated shutdown following consultations with their respective workforce and any applicable trade unions which may be represented amongst their workers. Council has granted all of these exemption applications received to date.

According to a survey by Statistics South Africa released earlier this year, 14% of construction companies permanently shut their doors in South Africa due to the lockdown...

Health and safety protocols

Compliance with health and safety protocols remains a priority for MBAWC, even as the industry continues to navigate the ‘new normal’. Of utmost importance, especially in the light of Covid-19, is familiarity and compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.

MBAWC is well-resourced in this area with its in-house OHS department. We are re-assured by the recent reports of successful clinical trials for various vaccines and hope these can be finalised and distributed, both equitably and timeously, throughout the globe. The association notes with concern the resurgence of infection rates in our region in the recent days and implores all of its members to continue to scrupulously follow the Covid safety protocols.

The MBAWC will continue to raise awareness about the illegal occupation of construction sites and the soliciting of protection money from contractors. This criminality poses a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of all site-based staff and greatly undermines the confidence of prospective investors and developers. We are currently engaging with SAFCEC, Business Against Crime Western Cape, law enforcement and other industry stakeholders, to ensure we stamp out this illegal practice.

Public-private partnerships

As MBAWC, we believe that there are exciting opportunities to be unlocked through more public-private partnerships (PPPs). Such PPPs will initially have positive financial short- and long-term spinoffs at the local level and will ultimately flow through to the national macroeconomy. In 2021, we are committed to exploring further business opportunities of this nature.

Construction is a key sector to address South Africa's housing shortage and infrastructure needs, and thus is unlikely to slow down...

Green economy

The sector embraces the green economy. Our industry continually strives for new and innovative, industry-specific solutions to the challenges of climate change. It is our priority to reduce our waste and, more importantly, our carbon footprint. Initiatives such as waste picker integrations and the revitalisation of buy-back centres are exciting prospects that we hope to see gain traction.

Many of our plans for the year 2020 were completely upended by the Covid-19 pandemic, yet we remain resilient as we head into 2021. We thank our members and fellow industry stakeholders alike for the unity and collective responsibility they have shown throughout. Let us embrace the challenges that may lay ahead and strive for a prosperous 2021.

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