Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has outlined interventions by the Department of Employment and Labour on how it will be assisting affected workers across the KwaZulu-Natal province following recent civil unrest.
The Minister says the department is collating all the necessary workers’ information so they can benefit from both the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Public Employment Services (PES) work-seekers database for re-employment when the Theku Plaza, in Newcastle, resumes its operations in the near future.
PES deputy director-general Sam Morotoba has encouraged all the affected workers to register with the PES “so they can be assisted when employers request workers for possible recruiting”.
He also urges workers to access employment counselling services provided by the department at the Newcastle labour office.
UIF Advocate Mzie Yawa emphasised the importance of benefits for workers in these trying times and encourages all workers to apply for unemployment insurance benefits including Temporary Employers/Employees Relief Scheme as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
It is estimated that about 1 800 workers in the Theku Plaza region have lost their jobs as a result of the looting.
It is estimated that investments worth billions of rands in the plaza have been lost since looting and the continued closure of Theku Plaza.
Nxesi, meanwhile, also encourages employers to access South African Special Risk Insurance Association compensation.
He further urges employers to apply for Reduced Work Benefit from Beneficiary Service of the department so that those affected and working for minimal hours can access relief.