On Thursday last week (26 March 2020 at 17:55) we issued a communication entitled “COVID-19 – Lockdown Update – Employees & Wages” In that communication we provided an update on what we had learned up until then. Fresh information on the interpretation and practical implementation of the regulations has been coming in slowly and we will continue to keep you updated as received.
On Friday morning we received further information on the formation of, and regulations relating to, the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). In terms of the Gazette No 43161, Notice 215 of 2020, of 26 March 2020, the Minster of Employment & Labour has issued a Directive called “Covid19, Temporary Employee / Employer Relief Scheme (C19 TERS)” in terms of which a special benefit has been created under the Unemployment Fund (UIF). We have mentioned this before but this gazette formalises how employers who have lost income as a result of closing their businesses can apply to CO19 TERS for relief, encouraging them to continue to pay their employees rather than lay them off.
Understandably Government has had to put many measures I place in a short time and there may still be teething problems however it would appear that this will offer some relief to employers & employees at this time.
The Gazette covers the application process, provides a new email address for CO19 TERS Applications (Covid19ters@labour.gov.za) and is attached below.
The Department of Health’s COVID-19 website (sacoronavirus.co.za) also remains a useful source of information.
MBA Staff Contact Details:
Training – Craig – 083 231 8643
IR & Labour – Gerhard – 082 872 0611
Health & Safety – Diona – 071 887 3248
Membership/Documents – Angelique – 076 547 2204
Accounts – Rianna – 082 416 2549
Exec. Director – Greg Steele – 082 652 3139