Department of Employment and Labour is urging employers of domestic and farm workers to apply for the COVID-19 relief scheme for their workers during the lockdown.
Minister for the Department of Employment and Labour, Mr Thulas Nxesi, said since the lockdown, the Department of Employment and Labour through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has handed out almost R11-billion in benefits to workers through employers.
“We have appealed to employers especially those who employ domestic workers and farm laborers to apply on their behalf so that they are not left wanting.
“We sincerely hope that employers, especially in these two sectors, heed our call. We have also enlisted the help of a private company which is helping us trace these workers through their cell phones so that they are aware of the benefit and either get the employers to claim on their behalf or reach out to the UIF themselves,” said Minister Thulas Nxesi
“We appeal to employers of domestic workers, those who may have difficulties paying them to ensure that they access these services as soon as possible. The disbursements from UIF could also act as a top-up for reduced salaries and these are necessary for our mothers and sisters as they really need the break,” said Minister Nxesi.
Ms Elisa Mabasa (33) has been working as a domestic worker in Soshanguve for more than 6-years, she says ‘‘I am delighted to see that the government has not forgotten about us who are doing jobs that do have qualifications, we really need that financial assistance, because our employers find it hard to pay us without reporting for duty,” Ms Mabasa said.
Ms Elisa Mabasa’s friend who did not want to be named said, ‘‘we also need that financial assistance like any other registered employees because our children’s needs depend on it.
