COSATU calls on Department of Employment and Labour to urgently act to end long queues at labour offices

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) calls on the Department of Employment and Labour to urgently act to end the unacceptably long queues at labour offices across the country that have become normalised and are posing a health risk to workers and beneficiaries who battle to access services and payouts.

The sluggish operations at some of these offices are a cause for deep concern. Recently a woman reportedly collapsed, after waiting in line for hours with her child at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) offices in the Pretoria city centre. A resident of Mamelodi, the woman was forced to travel 43km to the city centre due to the closure of the Mamelodi labour office in August 2024 following security concerns.

This incident, just one of many similar ones, demonstrates the repercussions borne by masses of applicants forced to stand in long queues for hours, sometimes in the blazing sun, only to be told to return on another day, losing scarce money on travel expenses whilst unemployed. Closing any office for months on end is not an answer to this already overburdened system.

COSATU is relieved the UIF online system, uFiling, is back online after being offline for an extended period late last year, making it impossible for employers to declare and pay UIF contributions on behalf of their employees.  COSATU engaged with the Minister for Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth to intervene to ensure the system was restored.

The Federation urges Minister Meth to intervene to resolve the many challenges experienced at labour offices and to put in place measures that prioritise pregnant women, women who have just given birth, persons with disabilities, etc.  

It is the Department and the UIF’s responsibility to ensure smooth processing and access to services sought by workers and individuals. The current system that is leading to extended queues is not serving the multitudes of applicants seeking assistance for labour related matters.

Engaging the Minister at the Nedlac Labour School this week, the Federation reiterated the need for the complete overhaul, cleansing and modernisation of the UIF, to ensure it provides the services workers need when they are at their most vulnerable.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za