Government, taxi accord set to benefit many on UIF pension

The South African National Taxi Council has pledged to register about 60% of the taxi operators with the Unemployment Insurance Fund.  Taxi workers in Kwa Zulu Natal, Free State and Gauteng are mainly to benefit from the agreement.

The Secretary General of SANTACO Philip Taaibosch and the Unemployment Insurance Commissioner, Boas Seruwe officially launched the partnership today, which is aimed at increasing compliance with the UIF legislation. 

Speaking at the launch, Taaibosch said his association was committed to extending UIF coverage to over 135 000 taxi operators in the industry country wide.  He said the registration process would begin in earnest as from March 10, 2008 in the three provinces in which over 80 000 taxi workers are expected to be registered.

The UI Commissioner has hailed the initiative as a major breakthrough in increasing the level of compliance within one of the biggest trade industries in the country.  Seruwe urged the taxi employers to sustain their commitment, and reminded them that failing to register with UIF is a punishable offence.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU), has welcomed the launch saying that ultimately the taxi industry is committed to protecting the social wellbeing of its workers.