Ramaphosa castigated by Cosatu for cancelling Ters
As the government decides to discontinue the relief scheme to millions of workers
COSATU has lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa following the government’s decision to discontinue the payment of the Temporary Employment Relief Scheme (Ters) to millions of workers who have suffered massive salary and wage cuts due to the Covid19 pandemic.
The president on Wednesday evening, during his address to the nation, said the payment of the Covid19 UIF Ters benefit scheme would be extended to October 15, but did not give any indication whether it will continue throughout the duration of the lockdown.
In his address about the impact that the virus has had on the economy and employment, Ramaphosa revealed that his government was making its last payment to the affected workers, but conceded that talks with labour unions and social partners were still open for discussion.
In April his government introduced a massive economic and social relief package to limit the effects of the pandemic on companies, workers, households and communities.
“This intervention was essential to keep businesses afloat, to protect jobs and to prevent millions of people from going hungry. Now, as our economy has been steadily opening up and restrictions on movement and activity have been eased, we have been able to turn our attention from these emergency measures towards an ambitious plan of economic reconstruction,” Ramaphosa said.
He said, however, following extensive discussions with our social partners, the UIF will extend the Covid-19 UIF Ters benefit scheme by another month, to October 15, 2020.
“Discussions continue with our social partners on support for businesses in distress going forward, mindful of the need to ensure that the UIF has sufficient funds to meet the anticipated rise in unemployment claims,” Ramaphosa said.
The President’s announcement comes after political parties and labour unions had been urging the Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi to clear the confusion over the payment of Ters funds.
The call came after the acting UIF commissioner Marsh Badenhorst had in September indicated that the labour department would not extend Ters payment beyond October.
Earlier this month, DA spokesperson on employment and labour Dr Michael Cardo said his party had noted with concern reports that the National Command Council (NCC) has unilaterally decided not to extend the Covid-19 Ters benefit scheme beyond October 15.
“This is despite the fact that the national State of Disaster for Covid-19 has been extended to December 15, and that many workers will not be able to work for full pay under level 1 of lockdown.”
“This undermines good governance and underlines the arrogant and authoritarian nature of the NCC, which regards itself above oversight and accountability. Since the government has seen fit to extend the lockdown (despite the disastrous economic consequences) and thereby deprived many workers of earning their full income, it has a duty to extend the Ters scheme in order to cover the shortfall.
“If the government wants to take away with one hand, then it must be ready to provide with the other,” Cardo said.
Cosatu expressed the same view following President Ramaphosa’s decision to set the deadline for October 15.
Outraged Cosatu’s general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali said the government had ignored their call for Ters’ payments to continue for the duration of the lockdown.
Ntshalintshali said Cosatu was expecting the government to extend the payment of Ters benefits until December 15, following Ramaphosa’s latest revision of the level 1 regulation.
“This is the workers’ money. It is not the government’s money. It is just managed by the government on behalf of the workers. Is it the workers’ fault that their companies are not able to be fully operational?” Ntshalintshali asked. He also questioned Ramaphosa’s decision to extend the payment of social distress for unemployment of R350 until January 2021, but allegedly leaving millions of workers in the lurch.
Why are the workers punished?” Ntshalintshali asked.
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was not available for comment yesterday.