Phased return for tanners in South Africa
The leather sector in South Africa was able to restart a substantial proportion of production again on May 1. Lockdown measures came into effect across the country at the end of March.
As part of a phased loosening of the lockdown, the government said that companies involved in the manufacturing of a number of essential products, including winter footwear, would be allowed to start production again on May 1. It said this opening up extended to “all inputs required” to make these products, which includes shoe leather.
Companies have been told to start operations with 25% of their workforce, with this scaling up to 50% in the coming weeks. The production set-ups companies put in place must be “subject to strict health protocols”.
Other parts of the leather value chain have continued to function throughout lockdown. There were different measures in place for the meat supply chain, which has continued to flow. As a result, tanners have been permitted to continue processing hides and skins to wet blue stage to pre-vent waste.
Crust and finishing tanners, even those supplying leather to sectors other than closed footwear, will now be allowed to start production again with 30% of their workforce in place, with this building up to 50% in the coming weeks.
