There is no doubt that there have been massive disruptions at the work place in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has posed a major challenge for employers in relation to their ability to retain employees in the short and medium terms. Globally, the majority of Governments have issued Public Health Policy and Legislative measures that have resulted in the disruption of the routine work schedules for the majority of the non-essential services or sectors. This has caused significant disruption to employer revenue streams which in turn, is affecting their ability to meet their ongoing wage bills.
The inability of employers to meet their short to medium term wage bills is compelling the vast majority of them to reconsider their positions and contractual obligations. What is for certain under the prevailing circumstances, is that a number of employment contracts may be affected in order to help the employers keep afloat.
On the 20th of March, 2020, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Honourable Mwesigwa Rukutana delivered a press statement drawing the attention of employers, workers and the general public on employment matters. He noted that the spread of the virus will impact the world of work across three key dimensions including the quantity of available jobs, the quality of work and the effect of the spread of the virus on specific groups of people who are more vulnerable to adverse labour market outcomes.
