Employment and Labour on UIF and Cosatu in the Western Cape partnering to improve compliance and protection of workers

UIF and Cosatu in the Western Cape partner to improve compliance and protection of workers

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape province have committed to strengthen relations and work together closely to improve employer compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act (UI Act) with the aim of ensuring that workers, especially those from rural and outlying areas are protected and able to claim UIF benefits when the need arises.

The pledge was made on Wednesday 12 April 2023 at briefing session hosted by UIF Commissioner, Teboho Maruping and COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Malvern De Bruyn, for COSATU affiliated unions in the province.

The session which was held at the Cape Town Lodge Hotel was attended by over 150 delegates from amongst others, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU); South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU); Clothing and Textile, Communication Workers Union (CWU), South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU); South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU); South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU); and as well as the Agricultural Food and Allied Democratic Workers Union (AFADWU).

Key among discussions that ensued was the advancement of worker interests and improvement of employer compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act (UI Act) which will ensure that workers are able to claim benefits from the UIF when a need arises. At the session the UIF highlighted that during the 2022/2023 financial year only 43,46% of employers in the Western Cape complied with the UI Act and other labour laws that are administered by the Department of Employment & Labour.

Speaking at the session, Commissioner Maruping urged organised labour to partner with the UIF to enhance compliance by ensuring that employers register, declare and pay monthly contributions for their workers to the UIF. “It is incumbent on the UIF and the Department of Employment and Labour to work together with organised labour who is on the ground with employers, to improve compliance.

While some employers are good corporate citizens who comply, majority of them as can be seen through the statistics, either do not register workers, deduct UIF contributions for them or pay over deducted contributions to the Fund. This sort of non- compliance is an indictment on worker rights and demands that the UIF build a strong partnership with organised labour to protect workers. To this end it is imperative that we impart necessary knowledge and education to our partners so that they can raise awareness on the ground and further promote and advance compliance for the benefit of workers,” said Maruping.

Employers can easily register, declare and pay contributions online at https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/ or do so manually at any labour centre around the country.

Maruping revealed that through Covid-19 TERS a significant R11,2 billion was paid out to sustain the livelihood of workers and their beneficiaries during the various levels of the lockdown periods in the Western Cape. He said that the auditing of businesses as part of the “follow the money” project continues across the country, and continues to identify businesses who abused Covid-19 monies instead of paying workers. Such businesses, advised Maruping, are being dealt with through the criminal justice system.