UIF creates and saves jobs-Parliament hears
The Department of Labours’ (DoL) Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has saved and created more than 51 000 jobs so far , the portfolio committee on labour was told today (Wednesday).
An amount of R4 billion was invested in Job Creation Projects and at the same time 51 000 have been created and saved. At the same period, 91 per cent of claims with complete information was approved or rejected within five weeks of application in the fund’s operational systems by December 2014. A total of 11 9999 claims were submitted through U-Filing claim’s portal by December of the same year, Boas Seruwe, UIF Commissioner told the committee in Cape Town.
“All claims rejected are due to claimants not registered by employers and the average rejection rate is 3 per cent,” Seruwe continued.
This is amidst the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant’s launch of nine initiatives schemes which have so far recruited 4535 learners of which 3 000 have already completed their training. The Training is in the areas of Artisan Development and Information Communication Technology amongst others.
The UIF was presenting its Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2020 as well as its Annual Performance Plan for 2015/16 Financial Year to the committee.
Commissioner Seruwe kicked off his presentation by reiterating the UIF’s mission and vision which are contribute to the alleviation of poverty by providing effective short term unemployment insurance as well as rendering effective accessible service to all stakeholders and administering the fund professionally.
Hilda Mhlongo, Chief Director: Corporate Services at the Fund, said “we want to increase U-Filing uptake by 20 per cent in the 2015/16 financial year”
U-Filing is a system that enables employees to apply for UIF benefits on-line. Employers can also use the system to register their companies and employees.
Despite the reduction in employees and employers’ contributions announced at the National Budget, the UIF has financial asset of R112 billion in investments, the Commissioner told the Committee.
Established in terms of Section 4 (1) of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 36 of 2001 as amended, the UIF provides cushion for the unemployed for a period not exceeding eight months.
For more information contact:
Mokgadi Pela
Acting Departmental Spokesman
Cell: 082 808 2168
