Mail & Guardian reports that despite the difficulties the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has faced regarding applications for the Covid-19 relief scheme, it has disbursed more than R14-billion since 16 April.  

The Temporary Employer/Employee Relief scheme (Ters), as administered by the UIF, was set up for employers who had to temporarily or partially close their businesses in adherence with the lockdown.  Last Monday, the DEL advised that more than 2.5-million workers had received relief payments during lockdown, either in lieu of, or a top up to their salaries.  The total amount disbursed had by then topped R14-billion.  This was in addition to the usual UIF payments — such as in respect of retrenchments or maternity leave — which stood at R1.8-billion.  But technical glitches have caused frustration.  Among the complaints were that some employees received payments but others in the same company did not, the incorrect amount was paid out and people were not able to contact the UIF.  The DEL’s Teboho Thejane said the problem of salaries being paid to some employees and not to others was caused when incorrect details were submitted.  He also pointed out that some problems arose because companies were paying workers by using their leave days or lending them money.  “We are saying if you are in distress, if you are scaling down … do not make your staff take annual leave.  We will pay for that.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshegofatso Mathe at Mail & Guardian

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