UIF claimants left stranded following closure of labour offices

Since the closure of labour offices, in efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus, many citizens have lost out on collecting their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

This is according to the  Democratic Alliance (DA), who have suggested that the Department of Employment and Labour reopen its main labour centres in all nine provinces to deal with the flood of UIF claims. 

There is no doubt an influx of UIF claims as a result of the 21-day lockdown period that began on 26 March. 

UIF claims to be handled electronically

On 27 March, the department indicated that all labour centres would be closed for the duration of the lockdown, and advised members of the public to stop visiting them. 

Instead, employers and workers were advised to access the department’s services — such as the downloading and submission of UIF forms — electronically.

“The department’s rationale for closing labour centres was to limit the spread of COVID-19. While understandable, the effect of this move has been to leave UIF claimants stranded at a time when they need the department’s help most acutely,” said DA Minister of Employment and Labour Michael Cardo. 

No access to computers 

Cardo explained that many UIF claimants do not have computers to access the department’s online services. 

“They need to be able to access hard copies of the relevant forms and submit them manually. It should be possible for the department to continue offering a pared-down frontline service while enforcing strict physical distancing and hygiene measures at labour centres,” he said. 

A vast number of small business owners who are unable to pay their workers’ salaries during the lockdown will need to apply for the UIF’s COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefit. This benefit pays towards the salary costs of employees during the temporary closure of business operations.

Currently, applicants for the COVID-19 TERS benefit cannot submit manual applications. They are served by one email address (covid19ters@labour.gov.za) and a hotline number (012 337 1997) for benefit enquiries.

“Clearly this will not be sufficient to respond to the high number of enquiries and applications occasioned by the lockdown. The Department of Employment and Labour should reopen the main labour centres in each province and capacitate the UIF to deal with the deluge of claims coming its way,” he added.