Workers facing uncertainty and distress due to the lockdown continue to find relief, thanks to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
According to the Department of Employment and Labour, the insurance fund has made great progress increasing the payments of Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) and normal benefits.
According to department spokesperson Teboho Thejane, this will ensure that workers are not inconvenienced for the duration of the lockdown
“Just today [22 April], the Unemployment Insurance Fund has disbursed R92-million, which brings the total paid to date from 16 April to just under R1.8-billion. These payments cover up to 790 150 workers,” he said.
Thejane added that in some cases claims have been paid within 24 hours of presentation.
Department minister Thulas Nxesi said the fund will continue to process payments for ordinary benefits.
These include pregnancy, retrenchments and other paybacks which have amounted to R804-million since the beginning of April.
“As enjoined by the President, we continue making sure we ease the load of lockdown,” Nxesi said.
“We still appeal to more employers to ensure that they apply for relief for their employees to ensure we do not leave anyone behind,” Nxesi concluded.
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