THE Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has begun processing new claims for the extended Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS).
This process will support businesses or establishments in sectors hardest hit by lockdown, such as tourism, liquor, hospitality, conferencing events and other business activities in the related value chains.
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‘A bottling supplier in the liquor industry gets affected if production is stopped or reduced by the alcohol manufacturer, and so does the wine or grain farmer who supplies raw material to the manufacturer,’ said Marsha Bronkhorst, Acting UIF Commissioner.
The benefit will also cover vulnerable employees who have comorbidities, or who are 60 years or older and cannot be safely accommodated at work, as well as those who must isolate or quarantine to prevent infections, regardless of the sector in which they work.
‘Employees who continue to be affected by short time, shift rotations, temporary layoff and other operational requirements related to current economic conditions, but who do not work in the specified sectors, will also be entitled to claim relief.
‘The fund will follow two payment iterations for the extension period, with the first being from 16 October to 31 December 2020, and the second from 1 January to 15 March 2021,’ said Bronkhorst.
UIF has already opened the online application system to start processing claims.
Guidelines on the application process are available on the Department of Employment and Labour website (https://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/) and Covid TERS portal (uifecc.labour.gov.za)
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