Avon on Wednesday condemned unfounded, unsubstantiated and untrue social media allegation that the company has classified its business as an essential service.
Government has stipulated which sectors of the economy it deems as essential services.
“Avon takes a dim view to these unsubstantiated claims which it regards as malicious,” said Mafahle Mareletse, Managing Director: Avon Justine SA.
“When the numbers of confirmed coronavirus infections steadily increased, Avon made provisions to protect its employees, suppliers and customers by instructing its employees to work from home.”
As at yesterday, Avon Justine Head Office employees that been working from home since Wednesday last week reached 85%. In fact, its head office is closing from March 26 in compliance with the national lockdown decree announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The shutdown will include call centre employees who have been provided with digital tools and data bundles to work from home.
Our distribution centre with a rotational staff compliment of approximately 80 per shift could be working if we are deemed an essential service by the Department of Trade and Industry. All measure in line with the government guidelines and directive are being put in place to protect our employees.
However, no final decision has been reached on whether our Distribution Centre will remain open. Avon distributes sanitizing and basic personal hygiene products that have been expressly designated as essential goods.
“We are awaiting a directive from the government in this regard. We are exploring every option available to us to, firstly, protect our employees and our partners, and also ensure that their jobs will be secure,” Mareletse said.
“To our Representatives and Consultants, we urge you as per our communication to be safe, to stay healthy and comply with government regulations by staying at home. Please use the digital tools we have availed for you, such as the Digital Stores and the Avon ON app, to help you to maintain social distancing and assist you to market and manage your business.”
