Much confusion has arisen with the introduction of the Covid-19 temporary employee / employer relief scheme (C19 TERS)

According to an “Easy – Aid Guide for Employers”, the UIF has added a R3500 per month flat rate benefit to the existing relief measures, which it refers to as a “National Disaster Benefit”.

In a drastic measure to curb the spread of COVID-19, the SA Government has declared a lock-down as from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020 until midnight on Thursday 16 April 2020. This will be enacted in terms of the Disaster Management Act. During this period all employees, with the exception of a few categories, will have to stay at home. Who pays their salaries? What happens after the 21-day lock-down?

Here are the announced measures by Minister of Employment and Labour to facilitate a variety of UIF claims relating to the Coronavirus.

Some businesses are under severe strain as a consequence of the severe measures implemented due to the COVID-19 having been declared a national disaster. They are resorting to emergency measures such as short time & temporary lay-off. A fairly recent amendment to the Unemployment Insurance Act of 2001 is likely to bring much needed relief to affected employees.

Now that the World Health Organisation has declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic and the President has declared it a national disaster, employers are under increased pressure to take action: What precautionary measures should be taken, what forms of leave apply, how must employees be accommodated, quarantine, how does one deal with a slowdown in business, etc?

Employers were expecting the minimum wage rates in the Wholesale and Retail Sector to be increased with effect from 1 March 2019 – this did not happen.

The national minimum wage (NMW) has been signed into law. Effective 1 January 2019. What exactly does this mean to employers and employees?