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Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner Teboho Maruping, today, 4 September 2023, launched a zero-rated mobile APP as well as a free USSD platform to enable clients to access UIF services at any time, from anywhere at no cost, with the aim of addressing long queues at labour centres around the country.

The platforms were unveiled at a media briefing in Cape Town this morning, where the Commissioner implored that UIF clients should begin to shift from the traditional way of transacting with the UIF. He then proceeded to the Bellville labour centre to interact with clients and promote the platforms.

According to Maruping, the launch of the USSD and Mobile APP will promote greater self-service for clients, reduce long queues in the labour centres and alleviate pressure on officials. He believes the platforms would put more money in the pockets of clients because they would save on transport costs currently being used to visit labour centres.

“There is really no better time than now to do this to ensure that workers begin to access services on their fingertips. We are moving with the times to create a better, more capable UIF that leverages technology to respond to challenges on the ground and changes in the external environment. As the UIF, we recognise that most of our clients may not be in the best financial position at the time when they need to access our services, and for this reason we have introduced additional service platforms that will cost them no money to access services,” said Maruping.

“By simply dialling *134*843# on any cellular phone for free, clients can among others, submit a continuation of payment or check their claim and payment status, instead of visiting a labour centre. The same services can also be accessed on our mobile APP, which can be downloaded from either Google Play Store, App Store for IOS phones or Huawei App Store,” added Maruping. 

The Commissioner informed journalists that the two platforms also enable clients to check their UIF registration status, which would improve non-compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act by employers who fail to register, declare and pay contributions for their workers.

“I am calling on all UIF contributing workers to use these platforms to check their registration status whilst in employment. Do not wait until you are no longer working to do this because it will help you when you need to claim from us. If you find that your employer has not registered you, but is deducting UIF, then immediately report this to a labour inspector so it can be corrected,” said Maruping.

The Commissioner stressed that the Fund was committed to taking bold steps to improve service delivery. To reinforce the launch, the UIF will undertake roadshows to educate clients in all provinces and implement a mass media campaign.

“In addition to these new platforms, we recently installed free Wi-Fi at all labour centres around the country to enable clients to access our services online and reduce on the time it takes to queue for assistance. Meanwhile, our mobile buses continue to take services to the doorsteps of clients, especially in deep rural and remote areas,” concluded Maruping.

Issued by Department of Employment and Labour