Gauteng still has the highest numbers of beneficiaries who received the Unemployment Insurance Fund COVID-19 TERS relief payments, while the Western Cape leads with 1 123 Compensation Fund (CF) claims for sickness contracted at work out of the total 1 565 claims lodged so far. Just under half of the more than R34-billion paid out so far in 3 523 707 payments is in the Gauteng Province via 256 393 employers totaling more than R16.5-billion. The Compensation Fund has spent R202 172 in medical aid claims. The Northern Cape has had the least number of claimants with almost R342-million in 74 684 payments represented by 9 612 employers. The second province was the Western Cape with R5.7-billion disbursed so far in 1 276 05 payments to workers represented by 124 479 employers. Kwa-Zulu Natal is the third largest recipient with over R5.2-billion paid in 1 216 623 payments as claimed by 96 992 employers, while the Eastern Cape has seen almost R2-billion distributed in 434 036 workers in the province represented by 42 573 employers. They are closely followed by Mpumalanga with 430 642 payments to workers represented by 35 549 employers being handed R1.8-biillion in cash benefits; Free State with 268 852 payments through 33 120 employers who in total claimed R1.1-billion; Limpopo with 216 741 payments getting their share via 22 619 employers totaling just under R1-billion (R909-million), and the North West is the second last province with R960-million distributed through 204 982 payments to workers who had their applications submitted by 21 140 employers. Another important fact is that more and more people are being paid directly even though the claims are submitted by the employers. So far, 305 890 payments have directly been paid to workers totaling R1.2-billion in claims submitted and they are represented by 21 312 employers. The total paid to workers of foreign descent who are plying their trade in this country is slightly just over R1-billion in 256 280 payments via 29 793 employers. So far the June payments stand at R4.4-billion. As announced earlier in the week, the Department of Employment and Labour has decided to extend the period for the relief payments in keeping with the extension of the state of disaster till August 15, 2020. The Department is also through the Inspection and Enforcement Services working hard to ensure that places of work are safe and healthy. Since March 27 till July 23, a total of 3717 inspections have been conducted.
Just under half of the more than R34-billion paid out so far in 3 523 707 payments is in the Gauteng Province via 256 393 employers totaling more than R16.5-billion. The Compensation Fund has spent R202 172 in medical aid claims.
The Northern Cape has had the least number of claimants with almost R342-million in 74 684 payments represented by 9 612 employers. The second province was the Western Cape with R5.7-billion disbursed so far in 1 276 05 payments to workers represented by 124 479 employers.
Kwa-Zulu Natal is the third largest recipient with over R5.2-billion paid in 1 216 623 payments as claimed by 96 992 employers, while the Eastern Cape has seen almost R2-billion distributed in 434 036 workers in the province represented by 42 573 employers.
They are closely followed by Mpumalanga with 430 642 payments to workers represented by 35 549 employers being handed R1.8-biillion in cash benefits; Free State with 268 852 payments through 33 120 employers who in total claimed R1.1-billion; Limpopo with 216 741 payments getting their share via 22 619 employers totaling just under R1-billion (R909-million), and the North West is the second last province with R960-million distributed through 204 982 payments to workers who had their applications submitted by 21 140 employers.
Another important fact is that more and more people are being paid directly even though the claims are submitted by the employers. So far, 305 890 payments have directly been paid to workers totaling R1.2-billion in claims submitted and they are represented by 21 312 employers.
The total paid to workers of foreign descent who are plying their trade in this country is slightly just over R1-billion in 256 280 payments via 29 793 employers.
So far the June payments stand at R4.4-billion.
As announced earlier in the week, the Department of Employment and Labour has decided to extend the period for the relief payments in keeping with the extension of the state of disaster till August 15, 2020.
The Department is also through the Inspection and Enforcement Services working hard to ensure that places of work are safe and healthy. Since March 27 till July 23, a total of 3717 inspections have been conducted.
"What should be noted is that the compliance rate for the General industry sector has been at a relatively constant of 57% with very little variance since the beginning while the Government sector similarly has been at a very low compliance rate of 47% over the same period, again, with very little variance. There were more than 445 Prohibition Notices served over this period with a further 2 610 notices served overall," according to the Inspector General Aggy Moiloa.
Statistics show that the private sector, the wholesale and retail has had the highest number of prohibitions (188) followed by the manufacturing sector (33), hospitality industry (30) and then the construction sector following closely (17).
In the public sector, the Post Office has been served with the highest numbers of prohibitions (20), followed by the Department of Education (18), Health and Community Services (16), Police Service and Justice and Constitutional Development with 13 each and 11 in municipal services.
"All employers have a duty to ensure safe and healthy working spaces. Employees also have a duty through their various representative bodies to blow the whistle when they realise that certain workplace practises put them in danger especially during this period of COVID-19. While the Inspectorate will be there to do its works, various stakeholders can in the meantime ensure that workplaces are safe," said Ms Moiloa.
For media enquiries contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
082 697 0694
OR
Mapula Tloubatla
Media Liaison Officer
060 989 7509
"Please continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations. Stay home, wear your mask, wash your hands regularly and keep maintaining the social distance."
-ENDS-
Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour
© 2019 - The South African Department of Employment & Labour
