Bidvest non-essential-service staff have been asked to take annual paid leave and will then be put on unpaid leave for the remainder of lockdown once leave balances run out.
The company will provide affected employees with a monthly R2 000 cash payment for essentials and expects this amount to be topped up by UIF funds during this period.
This policy will apply to an estimated 70 000 of Bidvest’s 100 000 employees, say media reports. All the BidTravel brands – including BDC Rennies Travel, CWT, Harvey World Travel, Bushbreaks, Travel Connections and Cruises International – are expected to be affected.
In addition to the budgeted R2 000 per month payment, Bidvest will also apply to the new COVID-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS). This is expected to top up staff earnings to a maximum of R6 730 per month for staff who earn more than R17 700 per month.
While BidTravel employees told eTNW that the possibility of retrenchments had been discussed with them prior to lockdown, they say that the company has now committed not to enact this during lockdown.
“Retrenchments are not entirely off the cards following lockdown and may apply to certain brands,” said one employee, who wished to remain anonymous.
According to media reports, Bidvest executives have also agreed to a 40% pay cut during lockdown.
“BidTravel has never had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude before. They have been communicating with us on a regular basis since the start and I do believe that they are doing all possible to protect people under the circumstances. We all have to pray that this situation will work itself out,” added the employee.
eTNW contacted BidTravel for feedback but had not heard back from them at time of publishing.
