How SA Rugby plans to 'mitigate' jobs crisis
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: It is no secret that South African rugby industry are not only facing salary cuts but also faces unemployment due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier in the week, Lions Rugby Company Chief Executive Officer Rudolf Straeuli gave an assurance to all staff and players that the March payroll will ‘run as per normal’.
Straeuli, in his communications with both staff and players, said they are currently facing “uncharted waters” in the South African Sport Industry – the result of the coronavirus.
A scheduled teleconference next week Friday, with all stakeholders in South African Rugby, will shed more light on the way forward.
However, SA Rugby released a statement where they reveal how the South African rugby ‘industry’ has come together to navigate the retention of teams and jobs in the face of the threat to the business posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
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All rugby activities were suspended prior to the start of the county’s national lockdown on March 27. Some events have already been cancelled or rescheduled, while others remain under threat.
They reiterated that a return to play date is yet to be confirmed.
SA Rugby revealed that a ‘working group’ has been established in “response to the threat all stakeholders in the running of the game and of teams and the employment of people in the sport have come together to confront the challenge,”
The working group includes SA Rugby, South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation (SAREO), My Players and Sports Employees Unite (SEU).
In a joint statement, the grouping said: “We are in constant communication and have created various workstreams in sub-groupings to determine the extent of the financial impact on the business of rugby.
“This is a unique situation which has called for a unique response and we are considering a number of potential scenarios and how we can mitigate the impact on the sport and our people.
“We are being transparent with each other in order to find best-case solutions for all engaged; the game, the employers, the players and the staffs and we are close to finalising a mitigation plan.
“Once that is complete and has buy-in of all our constituencies we’ll be able to share with those impacted and the wider game. We will not be able to comment on the process and discussions until then.”
In the meantime, the grouping urged the rugby community to strictly observe the lockdown directives of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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