The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will in the month of March deploy its foot soldiers to far flung areas of the province to assist with processing and payment of benefits whilst taking new UIF applications.

The Fund capacitated a Provincial Rapid Response Team (PRRT) which started its work on 01 November 2020 to deal with a backlog of 20 815 claims. This was finalized in January and the team now will be taking in new cases. As a result of the work that was done between November and January, R47.6 million has been paid out for UIF claims.

Over and above the existing 16 Labour Centres scattered across the province, the Department has a number of Visiting Points and Satellite Offices where employees of the department visit weekly or on a monthly basis to render departmental services. Since the start of lockdown there has been an abnormality in the rendering of services as claims were at some point taken through drop boxes and emails to minimize the chances of infections and transmission of corona virus amongst clients and staff. This caused a delay in payment of claims and some clients submitted incomplete documents which led to slow processing of UIF claims.

Covid-19 pandemic also took its toll in many businesses resulting to retrenchments and reduced work time causing influx of clients who wanted to apply for UIF benefits. The team has been sent out to assist in responding to destitute clients' needs efficiently so that they do not travel to Labour Centres for services.

“The Unemployment Insurance Fund has the mandate to provide social insurance benefits and improve coverage to vulnerable groups and contributors therefore we will ensure that we continue to pay the correct UIF benefits to the right recipient promptly" said Ms Nomfundo Douw- Jack; Head of Department of Employment and Labour: Eastern Cape.

Areas to be visited by the Provincial Rapid Response Team are as follows:

For more information, please contact:

Ziphozihle Josefu

Provincial Communication Officer

082 308 6306

“Please continue adhering to the lockdown regulations. Wash or sanitise your hands regularly and wear your mask at all times."

-ENDS-

 Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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