IOL reports that on Monday the Commissioner for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Teboho Maruping, launched services to address the long queues at its offices across the country.

At a briefing in Cape Town, Maruping launched a zero-rated mobile application as well as a free Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), better known as an SMS platform, to enable clients to access UIF services at any time, from anywhere, at no cost. He urged clients to begin the shift from the traditional way of transacting with the UIF and said the launch of the SMS services and mobile application would promote greater self-service for clients, reduce long queues in the labour centres, and alleviate pressure on officials. According to Maruping, the platforms will put more money in the pockets of clients because they will save on transport costs currently used to visit labour offices. Clients will also be able to check their UIF registration status, which will improve non-compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act by employers who fail to register, declare, and pay contributions for their workers.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL

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