Update: COVID-19 Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (“TERS”) Extension

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

On 7 September 2020 the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thembelani Waltermade Nxesi, (“Minister“) published a COVID-19 TERS Direction (“Direction“). The Direction extends the COVID-19 TERS benefit.

The Direction is deemed to have commenced on 16 August 2020. The Direction will remain in operation for the duration of the declaration of a national disaster or until the Minister withdraws the Direction. Our more detailed article on the Direction may be accessed at: https://www.werksmans.com/legal-updates-and-opinions/urgent-update-covid-19-temporary-employer-employee-relief-scheme-ters-2/.

The Direction may be accessed at: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202009/43693gon968reg11172.pdf.

In addition, the Department of Employment and Labour (“Department“) published a statement on the extension of the TERS benefit payments (“Statement“). Key aspects of the Statement are as follows: –  

• The TERS benefit has been extended to 15 September 2020;

• The Unemployment Insurance Fund (“UIF“) will accept applications for the period March 2020 to end of July 2020 until 15 September;

• The UIF will accept applications for August 2020 to 15 September until 30 October 2020; and

• No further applications will be accepted beyond the closing dates.

The full statement may be accessed at: https://www.gov.za/speeches/employment-and-labour-extends-uif-covid-19-ters-relief-benefif-payments-7-sep-2020-0000.