UIF continues to make a difference in lives of workers with close to R16 billion paid for Covid Relief Benefits
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) continues to make a difference to the lives of many people in South Africa with timely cash injections even though the pandemic continues to wreak havoc and disrupt many lives.
Since this special relief package was promulgated, over 3-million workers in this country have benefitted from R15.8-billion (R15 814 091 265.53), which has been paid through employers who then are obliged to pass on to their employees.
In some cases and where the details have been provided, 89 412 workers have been paid directly to the tune of R400-million even though the claims were submitted by their 6374 employers.
“This is a good story in the sea of hardships. This is a story of how a well-managed public insurance can rise to the occasion and through timely interventions makes a real difference in the lives of workers in this country and their families.
“The UIF is now moving to capture payments for the month of May. In the past month we found ways to improve our systems ensuring that going forward, we are able to pay quicker. For example, if there are no changes in details provided previously, employers just need to make us aware and we will pay based on the information that we already have.
“This and the fact that we are encouraging more employers to provide banking details of the employees so that we can pay directly to their accounts will ensure quicker payments”, said Thobile Lamati, the Director-General of the Department of Employment and Labour.
Of note is the fact that the UIF has also upped its payments to domestic workers with currently 17 244 paid to the tune of R68-million. A total of 12 457 employers have applied for relief on behalf of their workers in the domestic sector.
The UIF also continued to pay ordinary benefits and has since March 26, 2020, disbursed over R2.3-billion. With the number of jobs to be shed as a result of the pandemic expected to accelerate, this means that more work will be done in this area to cushion workers from the worst effects of economic meltdown.
Lamati bemoaned the fact that a further 645 590 workers could have benefitted from a further R2.6-billion that the UIF is holding in abeyance had their correct details been furnished by just under 100 000 employers.
“Our records show that 97 374 employers need to furnish us with further information so that the UIF can make the necessary payments. This is over and above the 31 521 workers who have not received their money because of failed bank verifications. We appeal to the 3 102 employer organisations to ensure that workers benefit from the R206-million that we are holding on to until we receive proper banking details”, said Lamati.
For further information, log on to our website www.uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19 or reach the UIF on the toll-free number 0800 030 007.
Enquiries:
Makhosonke Buthelezi, Director UIF Communication
Cell: 071 491 7236
