The more than half a million domestic
employers registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) have
less than two weeks to forward new details of their domestic workers in
line with the December 01, 2007 new minimum wages for the sector.
UIF Spokesperson, Kgomotso Sebetso,
advised employers to submit the new details at any nearest offices of
the Department of Labour or by fax at the numbers appearing on the
required UI 19 form on or before next week Friday, January 05, 2008. He
further reminded employers that because the 7th of January 2008 felt on
a Sunday, employers should ensure that details of the employers were
submitted on the last working date of the week, which is the 5th of
Janaury to avoid any penalties or legal action been taken against
them.
"We currently have more than 550
000 domestic employers registered with the UIF and our
expectations are that the majority of the more than 632 000
domestic workers should have their details updated before the
deadline," Sebetso added.
He reminded employers that according to
the new wage table, domestic workers' wages went up by 9.3
percent from R1066, 83 to R1166.05 per month for employees working
more than 27 hours per week in higher paid areas or urban areas with
effect from December 01, 2007. Domestic workers in rural areas
are now expected to earn R946, 04 as compared to the previous R865, 54
per month.
Sebetso, said that not only were
domestic employers expected to adjust their minimum rates, but also
expected to adjust their UIF contributions.
“Domestic employers are
also compelled by law to inform the UIF of these changes by
submitting a new completed UI 19 form before the 7th of
January next year. Already we have seen a number of domestic
employers responding positively to the clarion call to update their
records," he said.
Sebetso added that employers were
expected to deduct 1 % from domestic workers’ pay and themselves
contribute the other 1% for their workers, while 2 percent has to be
paid into the UIF account.
“The applicable two percent
contribution in line with the new minimum wage is R23, 32 for urban
areas and R18, 92 for rural areas,” he said.
He also warned employers that failure
to submit latest information of your worker/s was an offence punishable
by law. An offender could face a jail term or a fine could be imposed
or both punishments could be meted out at the same time.
“We want to take this opportunity to
urge all employers to ensure that they do register their workers with
the UIF as the Fund contributes to the alleviation of poverty by
providing effective short-term insurance against job loss. At the same
time, we urge domestic workers to report their employers if they
suspect or have evidence that they are not complying with the law,”
Sebetso added.
On a positive note, he said there had
been a steady increase in the registration of domestic workers since
January with more tha 1 446 employers registering their domestic
workers in October alone. He said on average the UIF approve over 2 000
applications for relief from domestic workers every month.
He concluded by reminding domestic
employers of the existence of an online collection channel for the
sector. He said the uFiling system, which could be accessed on www.ufiling.gov.za, provided
employers with a secure, convenient way of paying contributions and
making declarations to the Fund.
