Department of labour ramped up payments
NATIONAL. – The department of employment and labour has ramped up its payment of COVID-19 temporary employer/employee relief scheme (TERS ), as well as normal benefits to ensure that workers are not inconvenienced during the lockdown.
Total of R1.8 billion
Teboho Thejane, departmental spokesperson, said as of yesterday the Unemployment Insurance Fund has disbursed R92-million, which brings the total paid to date from April 16 to just under R1.8-billion. These payments cover up to 790 150 workers. In some cases, the claims have been paid within 24-hours of presentation.
Over and above other payments
This is over and above the payments the fund has been paying for ordinary benefits – pregnancy, retrenchments and other benefits – which have amounted to R804-million since the beginning of April.
“As enjoined by the president, we continue making sure we ease the load of lockdown. We still appeal to more employers to ensure that they apply for relief for their employees to ensure we do not leave anyone behind”, said Minister Thulas Nxesi.