An employee must be a contributor, able to prove to the unemployment insurance commissioner that he and his employer have contributed to the UIF on a monthly basis.

Such contributions amount to 1% of the employee's monthly remuneration. Proof of contributions will be reflected on an employee's payslip.

The act does not apply to the following employees:

• Those working less than 24 hours in a month.
• Those employed in terms of section 18(2) of the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998;
• Those in national and provincial spheres of government;
• Persons who enter the republic for the purpose of carrying out a contract service apprenticeship or learnership; and
• Persons who receive a monthly state pension.

An employee who falls within the ambit of the act will qualify for unemployment insurance should he be employed on a fixed-term contract; or should his employer go bankrupt; or should he be fired; or in the case of a domestic worker, the termination of the contract of employment is due to the death of the employer. But where an employee already receives a benefit from the compensation commission or resigns, he will not be entitled to UIF.

In a recent CCMA decision, it was decided that where an employee absconds and a disciplinary inquiry is held in his absence, he is not entitled to any unemployment benefits, as he had ended the employment relationship.

An employee must apply for unemployment insurance within six months of the termination of his contract of employment.

• Modise is deputy chairman, McKechnie a candidate attorney at Eversheds