Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
The Department of Labour has issued a strong warning to employers of domestic workers to register their employees and update the details of existing employees with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) before January 7 next year.
The department said it had 550000 registered domestic employees on its data-base of 632000 domestic workers in the country.
Employers who fail to submit the latest information on their employees could face a fine or a jail term, or both. Spokesman Kgomotso Sebetso said the request was in keeping with the 9,3percent pay rise in the wages of domestic workers from R1066,83 to R1166,05 a month for employees working more than 27 hours a week in higher paid areas or urban areas with effect from December 1.
Domestic workers in rural areas are now expected to earn R946,04 as compared to the previous R865,54 a month.
Sebetso said employers were expected to adjust their minimum rates and UIF contributions accordingly.
"Domestic employers are also required by law to inform the UIF of these changes by submitting a new completed UIF 19 form at the end of the first week of January next year.
"It is advisable for employers to start updating their records with the UIF before going on vacation. This will help them avoid the last minute rush in January," he said.
Sebetso said that employers were expected to deduct 1percent from their domestic workers' pay and they themselves must contribute another 1percent for their workers. The money must then be paid into the UIF's account.
"The applicable 2percent contributions in line with the new minimum wage are R23,32 for urban areas and R18,92 for rural areas.
"We want to take this opportunity to urge all employers to ensure that they register their workers with the UIF.
"At the same time, we urge domestic workers to report their employers if they suspect or have evidence that they do not comply with the law," he said.
Register domestic workers
Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
The Department of Labour has issued a strong warning to employers of domestic workers to register their employees and update the details of existing employees with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) before January 7 next year.
The department said it had 550000 registered domestic employees on its data-base of 632000 domestic workers in the country.
Employers who fail to submit the latest information on their employees could face a fine or a jail term, or both. Spokesman Kgomotso Sebetso said the request was in keeping with the 9,3percent pay rise in the wages of domestic workers from R1066,83 to R1166,05 a month for employees working more than 27 hours a week in higher paid areas or urban areas with effect from December 1.
Domestic workers in rural areas are now expected to earn R946,04 as compared to the previous R865,54 a month.
Sebetso said employers were expected to adjust their minimum rates and UIF contributions accordingly.
"Domestic employers are also required by law to inform the UIF of these changes by submitting a new completed UIF 19 form at the end of the first week of January next year.
"It is advisable for employers to start updating their records with the UIF before going on vacation. This will help them avoid the last minute rush in January," he said.
Sebetso said that employers were expected to deduct 1percent from their domestic workers' pay and they themselves must contribute another 1percent for their workers. The money must then be paid into the UIF's account.
"The applicable 2percent contributions in line with the new minimum wage are R23,32 for urban areas and R18,92 for rural areas.
"We want to take this opportunity to urge all employers to ensure that they register their workers with the UIF.
"At the same time, we urge domestic workers to report their employers if they suspect or have evidence that they do not comply with the law," he said.
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