As many of you will be aware, employers and employees are experiencing serious delays in receiving the expected payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) for May.
B4SA representatives who have been responsible for engaging the Department of Employment and Labour and the UIF leadership about the scheme over the last three months and we are extremely concerned at the situation as it has developed.
We have been making every effort to establish the cause of the delay. As far as we can tell, the UIF’s administrative infrastructure and IT issues are at the root of the delays. Throughout the process, business has offered to make available its resources to assist. Those offers have been taken up on occasion, though not recently.
We are escalating our concerns to higher levels. We hope these problems will be resolved soon and that the payments will be forthcoming at the earliest opportunity.
INVITATION TO MEMBER BRIEFING ON UIF TERS BENEFITS
Business for South Africa (B4SA), an alliance of volunteers from across South African business bodies, organisations and member companies working with government and each other to combat Covid-19, invites you to an “Members Webcast” on Wednesday 17 June from 09:30-10:30.
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is assisting workers affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown through its Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefit. However, there have been various challenges in submitting claims and receiving payments.
While the April claims and payments went smoothly, employers and employees are experiencing serious delays in filing and receiving the expected payments for May.
Wednesday morning’s webcast will provide updates on where business stands and discuss a way forward. Hosted by Business for South Africa’s Labour Working Group lead Robert Legh, the webcast will be followed by a Q&A session.
Webcast details:
Date: 17 June 2020
Time: 09:30 – 10:30
Webcast link: Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
Please log in few minutes before the start of the event.
We sincerely hope you are able to join us.
EKURHULENI MMC FOR WATER AND SANITATION LAUNCHES HAND WASHING FACILITIES TO CURB COVID-19
The City of Ekurhuleni’s MMC for Water and Sanitation, Tiisetso Nketle, yesterday launched the Portable Hand Washing Facility project in Qalabosha Informal Settlement in Ekurhuleni.
With water, sanitation and hygiene considered the best defence against the spread of COVID-19, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) is tackling the pandemic head on with two innovative, yet simple technologies. These technologies have been developed in alliance with Business for South Africa (B4SA) and the National Business Initiative (NBI).
The CoE will be installing locally manufactured foot-operated hand washing facilities in public places, as well as giving out affordable hand washing units for home-use, in prioritised informal settlements across Ekurhuleni.
In the keynote address, Councillor Nketle emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying: “Ekurhuleni is a partnership that works. Our communities as a municipality also belong to you as business. We will continue to work together with business, through these public private partnerships, in order for us to execute our shared responsibility to our communities.” In addition, a demonstration of the two units was undertaken during the launch, highlighting the ease of use of these durable, locally made hand washing facilities.
With the current rollout of foot-operated hand washing facilities sponsored by NBI member company AECI, this initiative further demonstrates the value of public private partnerships.
YOU CAN HELP A HOME WITH A HAND-WASHING UNIT FOR JUST R65
Each unit costs R65 and includes a bar of soap. Individuals, companies and faith-based organisations are encouraged to assist with the broader rollout by making a donation in the following ways:
EFT
All donations will be managed by the National Business Initiative (NBI) under a separate water emergency fund and will be entitled to a Section 18A tax deduction. The NBI is a registered public benefit organisation (PBO Number: 081-437-NPO) that administers funds on behalf of several programmes.
National Business Initiative
Bank: First National Bank
Branch: Main Street (251705)
Account: 5061 0022 803
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Payment reference: P0551 and Company name
If you would like a Section 18A tax certificate, please email your details and proof of payment to: GillianH@nbi.org.za
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PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORT For companies that would like to share projects and initiatives, or propose projects for collaboration, please contact Alex McNamara or Mmaphefo Thwala |
FUNDING OR DONATIONS If you would like to support a project financially, please contact Gillian Hutchings on GillianH@nbi.org.za |
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