UIF urges firms to chose direct payment to staff

Meli a Ngalonkulu Moneyweb

The Unemployment Fund (UIF) has advised employers to select having the Covid-19 Ters (temporary employer/employee relief scheme) benefit paid directly into employees’ bank accounts to fasttrack these payments.

This was recommended by the fund on Thursday after it confirmed that applications for Ters benefits claims for May were now back online. This followed a damaged fibre link between the UIF offices and the State Information and Technology Agency, putting paid to plans for the platform to go live on Tuesday.

Green light

UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping said the National Economic Development and Labour Council partners have given the fund the green light to pay claims directly to employees.

“The Nedlac partners have given UIF a mandate to pay directly into the employees’ bank accounts to avoid delays and to deal with complaints where employers were alleged to be withholding the money or underpaying employees.”

Maruping for this to be successful it was “critical” for employers to provide clear and accurate banking details of employees. He added that the option of paying the funds to employers, bargaining councils or industry associations was still available.

Outstanding claims

He emphasised that the UIF was working around the clock to finalise outstanding claims for April. Corrections may also be made on rejected applications, which can then be resubmitted.

The following is necessary for May submissions:

Proof of Temporary Employer/ Employee Relief Scheme payment to employees for April such as electronic bank statement or a letter of acknowledgement of payment between employer and employee;

Re-upload employer bank confirmation letter or latest bank statement;

Signed approval or acceptance letter received from the UIF for April payments between employer and employee.