Covid 19 Weekly Reporting: Week 74 September 2021
- September 9, 2021
Dear GBS Stakeholder,
Thank you as always for taking the time to submit your weekly COVID Report. As you are aware, not only is this a mandatory requirement as part of the Disaster Management Act regulations, but the data is exceptionally important for the sector to have as a reference point around how industry is handling the pandemic and protocol adherence.
It is equally important to report whether you are managing all staff from home, on site or a hybrid solution.
Last week we asked the question around if your organisation / operation are currently or are planning on making vaccinations mandatory for all staff? There was over 90% response rate resulting in the below results;
Mandatory / compulsory vaccinations for staff: Unsure / Under discussion - 10%
Mandatory / Compulsory vaccinations for staff: Yes - 18%
Mandatory / Compulsory vaccinations for staff: No - 74%
This week we have asked if you are capturing or plan to individuals vaccination status. As always, the Link will close at 16h30 today, Thursday the 9th September 2021.
Reporting remains compulsory for ALL Operators. Should you have any queries, please do feel free to reach out to Lynn Davis - 083 200 8352.
VACCINATION INFORMATION AND FAQ'S
A number of questions around the vaccination and the vaccination process are answered on the SA Corona Virus website - Take a look.
By now you are aware that vaccination eligibility for those who choose to be vaccinated is open. It does save time to register first, but is not completely necessary, there are a number of walk in centres. You can visit any vaccination site at a government health facility or a private pharmacy. Even if you don’t have medical aid, you can go to a private pharmacy and there is no charge. Do note that not all health facilities or pharmacies are vaccination sites. You can find out where your closest site is by visiting https://sacoronavirus.co.za/active-vaccination-sites/ or calling the National COVID-19 hotline on 0800 029 999. The call is free.
To register:
- USSD: It’s free! Dial *134*832#
- By phone: It’s free! Call 0800 029 999
- Register on WhatsApp: Send the word REGISTER to 060 012 3456
- Register online: Go to http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za
Access to the Internet? You can now choose when & where to get vaccinated
- Once you are registered, you can choose when and where to get vaccinated or change your vaccination appointment.
- Go to https://vaccine.booking.health.gov.za
- Make sure you have the ID, non-RSA Passport number or Asylum Seeker/Refuges Number you used to register.
- You will need to be able to receive a one-time pin (OTP SMS) on the cellphone number you used when you registered.
- Know which site you would like to go to to be vaccinated.
Remember the free transport to vaccination sites for over 50's
More here NEWS & Events
- If you missed it Africa Global Business Services (GBS) - Benchmarking and Market Report - BPESA along with GKX hosted a webinar sharing some ''hot off the press'' Africa insight data as well as exposure to the largest global GBS buyers site. Watch it here. Looking to purchase a copy of the report, you can do so here. BPESA Members receive a 25% discount on the Africa Report - another value-adding reason to sign up as a member.
- Missed the HR Forum Webinar where guest speaker Jonathan Goldberg, CEO: Global Business Solutions, provided legal advice to HR leaders on acts impacting the workplace as well as vaccination responses. #HR #popiact #cybercrimebill #EEA #PEPUDA. Would like a copy of the webinar, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
EVENTS
- 19 - 28 September: Collective Trauma Summit (A free resource) - More here
Week 73:Overview
- In this 73rd weekly Call Centre COVID-19 Status report, 125 companies reported on operations taking place from 225 sites across the country and from home. 53% of the companies categorised themselves as GBS operators, 37% as Financial Services operators and 10% as ITO / ICT operators. 35% were members of BPESA and 65% non-members. These companies do not include all GBS operators, as some call centre operators are registered with the FSCA and other independent associations such as ADRA.
- There was a total of 70,221 people reported to be working during the week. 40,721 worked on site while 29,500 worked from home. 41,521 worked in the domestic market while 28,700 serviced international markets. KZN (15,131) reported the most on-site work followed by Gauteng (13,175), the Western Cape (11,389), the Eastern Cape (972) and Mpumalanga (36) then the Free State (18).
- Gauteng (11,100) reported the greatest number of people working from home followed by the Western Cape (10,041), KZN (6,613), the Eastern Cape (1,735), and then the Free State (11). Operators reported that on average they had 57% of the workforce on site and 43% of the work force at home. Only 26% of companies reported having more than 80% of their on-site capacity being utilised. 9% of the companies reported that they operate WFH only.
- There were 297 people sent home during the week (0,42% of the reported workforce) with 213 testing positive for CV-19 (0,30% of the reported workforce). The percentage of people testing positive this week show KZN (133) reporting the highest number of infections followed by the Western Cape (62), Gauteng (14), and then the Eastern Cape (4).
- Sadly, there were two (2) deaths reported this week in KZN (1) and the Western Cape (1) resulting in the total number of reported COVID related deaths in the GBS sector at 80 since March 2020.
The COVID infection rates are on a downward trend in the sector as they are nationally, however KZN and the Western Cape continue to experience comparatively high levels of infections. As the report shows, GBS operators proactively send staff home when symptoms present and continue to implement the work-place health and safety protocols for COVID.
Much effort is being placed on advocating for people to register and get vaccinated, with Discovery health continuing to support BPESA and the GBS Sector with dedicated venues, times, and slots for staff to make it easier to get this done.
BPESA will continue to play its role in supporting the NDOH in driving up demand for vaccinations, through the NDOH call centres and directly through our members, partners and other stakeholders.