Employment and Labour minister Thulas Nxesi this week outlined how his department would assist South African workers affected by the 21-day national lockdown.
The minister said his department would pay employees affected by the lockdown through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
Employees have been advised to claim UIF at their places of work and their sectors' bargaining council, and not the department.
The textile bargaining council, tourism and travel would be among the first to receive payouts due to early applications.
Nxesi said his department will only pay April salaries and not those of March. Furthermore, employees were not obligated to take annual or unpaid leave during the lockdown.
The department, however, warned payouts could be delayed as it anticipated a high number of applications. The companies and bargaining councils will facilitate claims.
The department said employees, who are not part of essential services but were required to work, must report this to the police.
Employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as masks and hand sanitisers to essential service employees.
A number of retail and manufacturing enterprises have been temporarily closed for failing to provide PPEs and to enforce social distancing.
Employers who obtained fraudulent certificates allowing them to operate as essential services would be penalised.
For any queries regarding UIF payments, you can call the UIF call centre on 012 337 1997 from 8am until 8pm, Mondays to Fridays.
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