The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out R21.8 million to more than 6,000 workers affected by the July 2021 unrest that gripped KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said on Wednesday that the Temporary Financial Relief Program for Workers Affected by the Unrest (Wabu) was set up to help those whose workplaces have closed due to the unrest, resulting in workers being paid partly or not being paid.
“The Temporary Financial Relief Scheme was created in addition to the Special Covid-19 TERS Relief Scheme, which was implemented in March 2020 and disbursed R64 billion to workers across the country.
“Since August 2021, the UIF has received more than 2,000 Wabu applications, but only 165 have been approved after physical verification by labor inspectors from the Ministry of Employment and Labour.”
Maropeng said employers were required to come forward on behalf of the affected workers and had to comply with qualification requirements, which include that the closure of the business is directly related to the destruction, damage or looting.
“The UIF is very pleased that we have been able to help workers every time we are called upon. As a fund responsible for providing social relief, our duty is to ensure that workers are able to take care of themselves and their families in difficult times.