M Mdladlana on domestic workers UIF benefits

10 August 2006

Close to 74 000 domestic workers have over the past three years benefited
from the Unemployment Insurance Fund relief (UIF) programme during their period
of unemployment, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana announced in Pretoria
today.

Speaking at the launch of the latest UIF’s online electronic filing system
for domestic employers and small businesses, Minister Mdladlana said 2006
marked the third anniversary of the inclusion of domestic workers into the
UIF.

“Claims applications by domestic beneficiaries for the period 2003 to date
reveal that the fund paid more than R65 million to close to 74 000
beneficiaries as a temporary relief to domestic workers during periods of
unemployment,” Minister Mdladlana said. The Minister said although a large
chunk of these funds was paid on unemployment benefits, domestic workers also
continued to benefit from illness, maternity and death benefits.

“The average payment amount per claim during this period was R882,11,” he
added.
He also pointed out that a closer look at the statistics also showed that
benefit claims in this sector were on the increase.

“Whereas during the first year of the inclusion of domestic workers in the
UIF only less than five thousand applications were received by the Fund,
half-way into 2006 the Fund has already dealt with more than 17 000
applications,” added the Minister.

To date, 657 000 domestic employers have been captured on the UIF database
while more than 500 000 domestic workers have been registered.

Minister Mdladlana said these figures were a clear vindication of the
Department’s resolve to extend coverage to the most vulnerable sector.

He urged the rest of the domestic households to register their workers as a
dedication to the Women of the country.

uFiling presented UIF’s clients a new channel to facilitate the payment of
employers monthly contributions and the submission of the required documents to
the fund.

Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 0828082168

Kgomotso Sebetso
Cell: 073 2699 870

Issued by: Department of Labour
10 August 2006