The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) in partnership with the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) hosted an employer engagement session at the Protea Hotel in Sandton, Gauteng.
FEDHASA is the national trade association for the hospitality industry which includes accommodation and
catering sectors and has been representing the industry since 1949.
The purpose of the session was to educate and engage employers on the UIF’s systems, benefits, services,
processes, compliance with legislation, as well as resolving some of the concerns from employers.
Discussions at the session included:
• uFiling and Electronic Declarations;
• Covid-19 TERS; and
• Compensation Fund.
Assistant Director: Marketing and Events, Lebogang Moloko, ensured the smooth running of the programme and welcomed all employers and associations present which entailed members of Proudly South Africa and various incubators.
FEDHASA’s Tshidi Mkhosana said the hospitality industry was one of the most negatively affected by the
Covid-19 lockdowns and the session was significant to helping their members and improving relations with the Fund.
UIF Provincial Support Assistant Director: Dorothy Boikutso, presented about the special Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme, saying it was established to provide financial relief to workers who lost income during various levels of the lockdown. She acknowledged some of the concerns from employers about unpaid Covid-19 TERS claims and assured them all valid claims would be paid after passing security and validation processes.
“If you tick all the boxes according to our processes, your claim will be paid,” she said. Boikutso also urged employers who were unhappy about their Covid-19 TERS claims being rejected could lodge an appeal to the Fund.
uFiling Specialist, Kgomotso Sono, spoke to employers about the online platform, explaining they could use it to register their businesses, declare workers and pay contributions seamlessly to the Fund.
He also urged employers to comply with UIF legislation, especially declaring their workers monthly to avoid delays with benefit applications.
UIF Deputy Director: Compliance, Siphamandla Gumede, encouraged employers to use the UIF’s online
platforms for services and spoke about the importance of compliance while a presentation was also made by the Compensation Fund.
The session was closed by UIF Deputy Director: Communications, Lungelo Mkamba, who thanked employers for their attendance, engagements, as well as constructive criticism, saying it would go a long way toward improving service delivery.
The Fund will be hosting more employer engagement sessions throughout 2022/2023 in various provinces and the Communication and Marketing Directorate will communicate them on the Fund’s social media platforms and internal communication.
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