25 October 2006
The Department of Labour has lashed out at taxi owners for the apparent lack
of interest in registering their employees for the Unemployment Insurance Fund
(UIF). Labour spokesperson Mokgadi Pela said today it was "a serious
indictment" on taxi owners that to date only 4 500 taxi drivers out of more
than 100 000, had been registered with the UIF since its coverage was extended
to the taxi sector in June last year.
Pela said the penultimate Public Awareness and Education Campaign in
Sebokeng in the Vaal on Saturday, 28 October 2006, would focus on increasing
the level of registration in all sectors. The campaign seeks to raise awareness
on the dealings of the fund. Thousands of UIF clients from across the Vaal are
expected to attend this outdoor community outreach programme to be held at the
Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex in Zone 14, Sebokeng
This nationwide outdoor programme in collaboration with SABC Education is
designed to inform, educate and raise awareness around the services of the fund
including providing full office services during the event. The campaign has
proved to be a huge success with members of the public attending in droves.
Acting Unemployment Insurance Commissioner, Boas Seruwe, said: "The focus of
the Sebokeng leg of the campaign will be on the importance of complying with
the Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001.
"The intention here is to ensure that workers become aware of their rights
and employers become aware of their obligations. For instance we find it
unacceptable that only less than 3 000 taxi owners have registered their
drivers with the UIF. We want to give taxi owners the benefit of the doubt and
say maybe is because of lack of knowledge with their obligations," he said.
The department has also encouraged workers in both the domestic and
commercial sectors as well as their employers to attend this event and learn
more about their rights and obligations. The benefits of a new system called
uFiling â an electronic payment system for contributions aimed at encouraging
compliance among employers whilst optimising the use of technology, will be
explained during the campaign. UIF full service, including registration as
employers and application for benefits would be offered on the day of the
event.
Enquiries:
Kgomotso Sebetso
Cell: 073 269 9870
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
25 October 2006
