Parliament finally approves legislation to improve unemployment benefits
The long and tortuous process of getting Parliament to pass the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill came to an end with its adoption by the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday. The legislation improves benefits for jobless workers and will put to some use the R120bn surplus sitting in the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The period for which UIF benefits can be claimed has been increased from eight to 12 months. And public servants are included under the UIF for the first time. Maternity benefits are improved and maternity benefits and claims are treated separately from other UIF benefits and claims. The draft bill was first discussed in the National Economic Development and Labour Council in 2013 and tabled in Parliament in March 2014. It fell off the table because of the general election and had to be retabled in October last year. The National Assembly adopted the bill in May and then there was another long delay as Parliament went into recess for the local government el...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.