Tap into wealth of the rich class to help sustain livelihood of the poor

FOR THE ordinary workers, especially the weekly wage earners, domestic workers, farm labourers and informal workers, the Covid-19 lockdown poses many risks to their livelihoods, many of whom, possibly, do not have employment contracts or any unemployment benefits.

Many workers are already having to decide between paying for food for their families or paying for electricity, water and rent.

I have read on social media and even heard of many touching stories of how people are battling to keep their heads above the water during this period.

The working class are having to dig deep into their incomes and even into their small savings, especially as many of them live from hand to mouth, to deal with emergencies.

While the rich grumble about being bored in their huge homes and continue with their lives seminormally, the large number of ordinary workers have either lost their jobs or are worried about their jobs and some are forced to work in the front lines to keep the essential supply chain moving.

When the lockdown ends, especially the working class, many will have difficulty in their loan repayments to banks, rents to their landlords and other financial expenses.

Due to the economic and social differences and inequalities in South Africa, this is a time for government to call on the resources and wealth of the rich class to sustain the livelihood or income of the poorer class. MOHAMED SAEED | Pietermaritzburg