Moneyweb reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has issued several directives relating to the temporary relief scheme offered to employers and employees affected by the national lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

However, the lack of clarity around the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) and the complicated calculations involved have resulted in misunderstandings and incorrect calculations.  Added to this, employers and consultants have experienced problems with the call centre not answering calls for several days while also struggling to submit applications online.  The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) issued a statement over the weekend notifying employers who have done incorrect calculations to “immediately correct” their payroll.  The institute also urged employers to engage their staff, especially where workers were under the impression that the Ters benefit would top up their salaries.  According to Joon Chong of Webber Wentzel, there is a lot of uncertainty around how the Ters benefits would be paid due to the ongoing changes (amended directives).  “This is especially the case in situations where employers have processed the April payroll and paid the Ters benefits as an advance payment and additional amounts for the shortfall.”

• Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Amanda Visser at Moneyweb

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