Beer Association: Jobs, stock can still be saved if govt lifts booze ban
The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) believes jobs
and businesses could still be saved if government decides to lift the ban on
the sale of alcohol soon.
In a statement, BASA says the alcohol ban imposed on the industry has seen 165 000 people lose their jobs, while 30% of craft brewers have been forced to permanently close their doors.
A survey conducted by the Craft BASA at the beginning of January has also found that 7 out of 8 craft brewers run the risk of shutting down permanently due to the economic impact of the third alcohol ban, while 77.8% craft brewers are unable to pay their rent, suppliers or employees due to debt accrual.
Furthermore, 41.3 % of craft brewers will have to consider destroying stock which was prepared for the festive season, as it will soon expire in storage.
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BASA has written to the Presidency and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition urging the government to lift the alcohol ban.
“The industry requires clarity on when the ban will be lifted - without this information, craft brewers are unable to mitigate the impact of the ban and to plan the rebuilding of their businesses,” BASA said in a statement.
“We call on the government to act urgently to save these livelihoods in a way that does not risk lives.”
