Question NW1921 to the Minister of Employment and Labour
30 August 2021 - NW1921
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
In light of the fact that the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Destroyed, Affected and/or Looted Workplaces: Temporary Financial Relief Scheme has finally been approved through the Government Gazette published on Tuesday 10 August 2021, which has been established to assist workers whose workplaces have been closed due to unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng from 9 to 18 July 2021, resulting in either reduced pay and/or no pay at all, (a) how does his department intend to assist those in informal businesses without the necessary documentation given the debilitating effects this has had on their livelihoods and (b) what are the further full relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
Firstly, each and every case is treated according to its own merit. There are a number of particulars that get considered. This is done to ensure that a proper verification process is undertaken. The aim is to provide relief to the deserving, correct and intended workers. So, among others, these are checked, UIF registration number, SAPS Report indicating that indeed the business where the workers are/were employed was destroyed, insurance claim to the extent that this is available, bank documents, employees’ salary slips, contracts, etc.
We must also emphasize that the relief from the Department of Employment and Labour is more towards the affected workers. Other departments such as Department of Small Business and Development (DSBD), Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) handle the other side of business.