As stated above, employers are not obliged to register with the unemployment insurance fund if their domestic workers work for less than 24 hours per month.

Domestic workers who work for less than 24 hours per month are therefore not entitled to claim from UIF.  Domestic workers who work for more than 24 hours per month are also not entitled to claim from UIF if they resign from their employment.

Domestic workers who work for more than 24 hours per month can apply for unemployment insurance fund benefits in the following circumstances:

• when a domestic worker is dismissed (i.e. for misconduct, incapacity, operational requirements or the expiry of a fixed-term contract);
• when a domestic worker is ill for more than 7 consecutive days and not receiving a salary;
• when a domestic worker goes on maternity leave;
• when a domestic worker goes on parental leave / adoptive leave / commissioning parental leave.

Domestic workers who work for more than one employer may also be able to claim from UIF (i.e. notwithstanding that they work for less than 24 months at each employer).

It is the duty of the domestic worker to apply for UIF benefits and generally speaking they should be able do so at a Labour Centre without the assistance of their employer. Nevertheless, many domestic workers struggle to apply for UIF benefits and rely on their employers to either assist them or make the application on their behalf.

For this reason, in addition to explaining how to register for UIF, this manual also contains a step-by-step guide in respect of claiming UIF benefits so that you can assist your domestic worker in that regard should you wish to do so.

Your closest Labour Centre can be located here: http://www.labour.gov.za/Contacts/Labour-centres/Pages/default.aspx