Workers can still access financial relief
The UIF is still providing financial relief through the already existing Short Term/Reduced Work Time Benefit
ALTHOUGH the Covid-19 Temporary Employment Relief Scheme (TERS) has ended, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) says it continues to assist employees who are affected by the pandemic.
The UIF is still providing financial relief through the already existing Short Term/Reduced Work Time Benefit.
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This benefit covers employees whose working hours have been reduced or those who are forced to stay at home due to work stoppage.
‘Normally, a claim for this benefit is submitted by an employee with the assistance of the employer.
‘However, the system has been enhanced to enable employers to submit bulk applications on behalf of employees and a spreadsheet has been designed to make this easy for employers.
‘A huge relief for us is that monies will be paid directly into the employee’s account and payments will be paid to legitimate people as calculations of benefits will be based on, among others, credit days accumulated in the last four years which greatly reduces opportunities for fraud,’ said Acting UIF Commissioner, Marsha Bronkhorst.
Bronkhorst said there is also support for employers through the normal TERS that has been operating since 2008.
‘The main aim of the scheme is to retain employment and avoid retrenchments by providing training to workers who are facing retrenchment.
‘Workers remain employed during the training layoff period but forego their normal wage for a training allowance, and employers pay full contributions to a basic social security package,’ she said.
Participation in the scheme is by agreement between employers and employees, and subject to approval by a Department of Employment and Labour Committee.
‘The scheme is accessed via the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) which facilitates the application process and the conclusion of a Training Layoff Agreement,’ said Bronkhorst.
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