POLOKWANE – The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) within Department of Labour recently hosted a conference to update and inform the public on the terms and conditions of the UIF.
UIF Director of Marketing, Makhosone Buthelezi, encouraged workers who become unemployed to apply at the labour centre of their choice in order to claim UIF.
He stated the purpose of the Act No 63 of 2001 was to establish an unemployment insurance fund to which employers and employees contribute and from which employees who become unemployed, or their beneficiaries, can benefit.
“In that regard, the harmful economic and social effects of unemployment can be alleviated,” Buthelezi explained.
Ronet Landman of the Department of Labour explained the claiming process and the terms of the maternity benefits to attended.
She explained that workers, specifically women, on maternity benefits must apply for benefits at their nearest labour centre either in person or by organising with someone to go in their stead.
Necessary documents which should accompany their application form are ID or passport, banking details and a medical certificate from a doctor or a birth certificate of their child.
They will then, she explained, receive a UI-4 form. Along with UIF benefits for maternity and unemployment, they also offer services to the public to assist in finding employment.
Public Employment Services (PES) Representative, Sarah Lepogo, said some of the services they offer include employment counselling.
The PES also offer job hunting skills, advise people on how to speak during work interviews, teach proper work ethics and how to develop a plan of action.
Lepogo encouraged everyone struggling to find employment or who want to brush up on their skills to register with the UIF so they can get the necessary assistance and guidance for career success.