A TOTAL of R6.4b has been paid to 1 402 workers affected by the July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, said the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) in a statement.
Payments were made after a stringent verification process was completed. This included: checking if workers were registered and declared with the UIF, monthly contributions are up to date, and physical inspections of the affected businesses.
READ ALSO: R5.8 billion in insurance claims paid businesses hit by July unrest
Since the opening of the application process in August 2021, the UIF received applications for the Workers Affected By Unrest (WABU) Relief Scheme from 500 employers on behalf of close to 16 000 workers.
“From the 500 employer applications received, we have paid 1 402 workers, which is not a great number considering that 16 000 workers have applied. We are, however, not worried about this seemingly low number because it shows the robustness of our verification process, which ensures that only those who meet our standards are fit for payment,” said UIF acting commissioner, advocate Mzie Yawa.
“We have also noted that some employers have used false SAPS case numbers and luckily our system can pick up through checks that the cases are not genuine. We urge all to act honestly, these are hard-earned monies for vulnerable workers, not get rich quick schemes,” said Yawa.
The WABU benefit is paid directly into the employee’s bank account and is calculated at a flat rate of R3 500.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
