Update: Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (“TERS”) benefit payment to foreign national workers

by Jacques van Wyk, Director; Andre van Heerden; Senior Associate; and Thabisa Yantolo, Candidate Attorney

On 1 June 2020 the Unemployment Insurance Fund (“UIF“) Commissioner, Mr Teboho Maruping, published a statement on the Department of Employment and Labour’s website relating to the processing of claims for foreign nationals. This statement can be found at: http://www.labour.gov.za/DocumentCenter/Publications/Unemployment%20Insurance%20Fund/COVID%2019%20process%20foreign%20nationals.pdf.

The Commissioner acknowledged that Foreign Nationals do get payment of their TERS COVID-19 benefits later than some South African workers.  This is due to the UIF system identifying contributors through the South African Identity Numbers (ID Numbers).  Foreign Nationals have to be verified through interaction with the Department of Home Affairs and at times the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The Commissioner also stated that these Departments have worked to eliminate or shorten the delay moving forward.

The Commissioner advised that employers of Foreign Nationals should provide the following details to expedite the verification and payment of the TERS COVID-19 benefit:    

• Name and surname of the Foreign National;
• Their ID, passport, work permit number or any other method of identification;
• Proof of how the employee was declared – at UIF or SARS; and  
• Attach proof of such declaration and three months’ bank statement showing payment of salary to that staff member.