industry news Global Hygiene Institute to promote behaviour that improves global hygiene
R
eckitt Benckiser (RB) announced the launch of a global initiative to generate high-quality, scientific research-based evidence to inform public health recommendations and promote behaviour that improves global hygiene. The Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI) is a public health
research and innovation hub that will bridge epidemiology, public health, and behavioural insights to generate practical, high-quality scientific research that leads to enduring behaviour change. “The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed public health to the top of the global agenda. At RB, we see the need for a new paradigm that brings together the highest quality scientific-based evidence and informed public health recommendations to generate largescale behaviour change for a cleaner, healthier world”, said RB CEO Laxman Narasimhan. He went on to say, “Today we are announcing our commitment to convene a group of multidisciplinary experts who, like us, believe real change on a global scale is within reach if we translate science-based evidence and consumer behavioural insights into sustainable hygienic practices that can be adopted globally. This ambitious goal is the result of our belief that the highest quality hygiene is a right and not a privilege.”
RB’s commitment to global hygiene research and education include: • A multi-year, $25 million investment into research aimed at filling the gaps in our understanding of the sciencebased evidence around hygiene and the behaviours and solutions necessary to sustain it. • The formation of an Expert Panel – comprised of crossdiscipline luminaries – to guide these research efforts at leading academic institutions around the world. • The creation of a Global Hygiene Institute with a Governing Board supported by full-time staff, ongoing research, and education programming driven by expert researchers and educators. Through the establishment of a fellowship program with leading universities, RGHI will generate practical, informed public health research and recommendations that champion global hygiene as the foundation of health.
National Minimum Wage 2021 increase
M
inister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi has announced that the National Minimum Wage for each ordinary hour worked will, as of March 2021, increase from R20.76 to R21.69. The National Minimum Wage Act was first proclaimed in 2018, setting a historic precedent in the protection of low-earning (vulnerable) workers in South Africa and provided a platform for
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reducing inequality and huge disparities in income in the national labour market. The National Minimum Wage was first implemented on 1 January 2019 at a level of R20 per hour. In terms of the law it is considered unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the National Minimum Wage. With effect from 1 March 2021,
employers shall pay contract cleaning workers at least the minimum hourly wage as detailed in the schedule below. Employment law service Labourwise reminded employers that the National Minimum Wage excludes allowances that are paid to enable employees to work (such as transport and equipment); or payment in kind (such as board or accommodation); as well as bonuses, tips or food.
Area A
Area B
Area C
Metropolitan Councils: City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Local Councils: Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch, Westonaria
All areas in KwaZulu-Natal NB: Conditions of employment for KwaZulu-Natal areas shall be subject to the agreement concluded in the Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Service Industry KwaZulu-Natal (BCCCI)
In the rest of South Africa
Rate per hour R23,87
Rate per hour R24,36
Rate per hour R21,77
African Cleaning Review March/April 2021
