
Johannesburg – The Public Servants Association (PSA) urges the government to “quickly adopt remote work” for employees in areas afflicted by severe rain and flooding.
On Thursday, (16 January 2025), the South African Weather Service (Saws) issued alerts regarding intense thunderstorms and potential fire hazards.
Saws predicts heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and strong winds affecting numerous regions.
“The ongoing and recent heavy rainfall in certain parts of the country has degraded road infrastructure, impacting the mobility of individuals,” the PSA emphasized.
“Introducing remote work will protect the welfare of affected employees and help mitigate the risks of accidents and injuries due to perilous road conditions.”
“A large number of government employees have the capability to work from home, thanks to substantial investments made by departments during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The public service union noted that the pandemic proved many employees can effectively carry out their essential duties outside of the office setting.
“Mandating employees to risk their safety by navigating through flooded and damaged roads may lead to serious repercussions,” the PSA cautioned.
Numerous rivers and streams have overflowed, leading to flooding near low bridges.
“Employees are encountering delays due to potholes, standing water, and malfunctioning traffic signals,” the union stated.
“The situation is particularly critical in rural regions where roads are unpaved and inundated.”
“Additionally, many government facilities are dilapidated, further jeopardizing employee safety.”
“The rural provinces are disproportionately affected by the destruction of roads, schools, and homes, making several areas unreachable.”
The PSA indicated that implementing remote work would also alleviate the strain on emergency services and infrastructure impacted by the severe weather.
“Affected employees will be able to maintain their workflow uninterrupted, ensuring reliable service delivery,” the PSA concluded.
The union stressed that the government “must prioritize employee safety” by establishing remote work policies in the impacted areas.
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