Yes, full procurement and distribution of uniform and personal protective equipment to all staff was done pre-strike which was in 2013-14 during hon Carrim's time. Due to financial constraints, following the ... [Inaudible.] Thank you Chairperson, they brought me back. During the same period, SAPO could only provide uniform and Personal Protective Equipment, PPE, to limited employees. As we were depleting the uniform stock on hand, only large size was available. We lose weight everyday. In the year 2018-19, free receipts were procured and distributed to male centre employees. As SAPO, we have finalised the procurement of rainwear and footwear for postmen. The PPE will be delivering on these and the distribution will be done to postmen by the end December 2019.
Funds have been made available to provide full uniform and PPE it first to qualifying employees during the 2019-20 financial years.
As I said earlier, expected distribution to all employees is before end March 2020. Thereafter, plans are in place to stock sufficient PPE and uniform to reissue to employees as and when required. Thank you, hon Deputy Chair.