29 March 2007
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has scored a major victory from two
popular umbrella taxi associations after their commitment to register with the
fund.
The National Taxi Alliance (NTA) and Gauteng Taxi Council (Gataco) have
encouraged their members to register.
The two associations also agreed that they will register their workers and
contribute to the Fund in accordance with the law.
The Act stipulates that all employers must register with the UIF before
commencing with any business activity. It also requires them to register any
employee who works for 24 hours or more with the Fund.
Recently, Gataco an affiliate of the South African Taxi Council, embarked on
a massive registration process that took place at Turffontein in
Johannesburg.
The registration was the culmination of a successful consultative process in
which all the Gauteng regions were visited to educate members about the
services of the UIF and the requirements of the UIF Act.
The co-operation from the taxi industry is a dream-come true for the
Minister of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana who has since July 1, 2005 extended
the coverage of the social security net to the taxi industry.
The slow registration process in the industry has resulted in only less that
5000 employers registering their businesses and less than 4000 workers
registered with the Fund to date. The taxi industry has over 100 000
employees.
This has basically denied thousands of workers in the industry the
opportunity to enjoy their rightful benefits in any circumstances they were
supposed to be entitled to.
The Taxi Sectoral Determination that was launched by Minister Mdladlana in
2005 was also intended to ensure that all the workers in the industry, from the
drivers, queue marshals and administrators are guaranteed better wages and
working conditions as any other economic sectors in the country. Ensure that
all of their regions co-operate and comply fully. Mabaso further said they will
always approach UIF any time they would need clarity on any issues affecting
the industry.
Within the next two months the NTA together with UIF will embark on a
national roadshow to educate the regions about the importance of registering
with the UIF and to raise awareness around the services and benefits of the
UIF. The roadshow is expected to have covered all the regions before the end of
May 2007.
Enquiries:
Kgomotso Sebetso
Cell: 073 269 9870
Issued by: Department of Labour
29 March 2007
