The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) provides workers with temporary financial relief should they find themselves in a position where they are unable to work.
If you work for more than 24 hours per month, you are required by law to make contributions to the UIF. This includes domestic workers.
The Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 defines a domestic worker as an employee who works in the home of his or her employer. This includes gardeners, drivers of motor vehicles, people who are caregivers and cleaners. Domestic Employees do not include farmworkers.
If you employ a domestic worker for more than 24 hours per month you must register them with the UIF. Every month 1% of an employee’s gross salary is deducted and contributed to the fund. The employer must also contribute 1%.
As an employer you must register on the uFiling website as a domestic employee.
You will need the following information when registering as a Domestic Employee
- Employers 13 Digit South African ID.
- Employees valid 13 Digit South African ID number.
- Your e-mail address where all correspondence will be emailed.
- If a practitioner is registering a domestic employer as a, the domestic employer's details are required.
- Your banking details and valid branch code that you will nominate to be used to securely pay your UIF contributions.
- employee's employment details.
A percentage of these contributions to the UIF can be accessed if a domestic worker is unable to work due to their employment being terminated or needing to take leave.
