Covid and looting relief schemes in numbers

More than R59.2-billion had been paid out to 5.3-milion workers since the government-backed temporary employer/employee relief scheme (Ters) was launched to assist an economy ravaged by the pandemic.

The workers are employed by a total of 267 428 employers who had to curtail or close their businesses following Covid-19 lockdown periods that began in March last year. The Ters benefit initiative began in April 2020.

The last iteration of the Covid-19

Ters fund had ended in July, after President Cyril Ramaphosa moved the country to alert level four on 27 June.

Many industries were hard hit, especially the hospitality, tourism and entertainment sectors.

But in August, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) reopened to provide relief to Kwazulu-natal and Gauteng workers who were affected by unrest after the looting that swept both provinces in July.

The employment and labour department announced in a statement last month that more than 75000 workers had been affected by the July destruction, which necessitated the reopening of a Ters fund for destroyed, affected or looted workplaces.

To register for the relief, according to the department, “the employer must provide details of the destruction, closure, or damage to, or looting of, its workplace and submit documentary proof of a report to the South African Police Services, with proof that a case has been opened by providing a case number, and, if insured, proof of submission and acknowledgement of receipt of the insurance claim”.

The UIF, which falls under the employment and labour department, said the maximum to be paid out would be R6 700 and the minimum R3 500.

The UIF did not announce any time limits for destruction relief payments.