The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes today’s opening of applications for the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employment Relief (TERS) relief for workers and companies who suffered losses due to the recent violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.  This will provide badly needed relief to thousands of workers who have gone without pay during this period.  It will also assist companies to retain and not retrench some of their employees, while trying to fix what was destroyed during the riots.

All those companies that suffered damages in KZN and Gauteng during the recent riots are encouraged to apply.  They can apply online on behalf of their workers and all they need to provide are copies of their insurance claims if they have insurance.  

They will also need to provide their South African Police Service case reference numbers.  Workers whose employers refuse to apply, can contact the UIF at 0800 030 007 for assistance.  The money will be paid directly into workers’ bank accounts. 

COSATU is perturbed by the low rate of applications from businesses and workers affected by the Level 4 Disaster Management Restrictions (March 16 to July 25, 2021).  These sectors include the liquor, tourism, hospitality, hotels, transport, entertainment, restaurants, sports, cinemas, and related value chains. 

Whilst it is totally understandable that many companies and workers applying to the UIF for relief have grown despondent after dealing with some inexplicable delays. We encourage them to continue to apply and not give up. The Federation has been working hard to assist many workers and businesses to resolve these problems.

About R5.3 billion has been set aside for the Level 4, KZN and Gauteng violence relief.  The Department of Employment and Labour and the UIF need to do more to minimise these delays to ensure that these funds are paid to workers as soon as possible. 

Issued by COSATU

Sizwe Pamla( COSATU National Spokesperson)

Cell: 0609756794sizwe@cosatu.org.za