Extension of TERS

New Directive extends TERS from 16 October 2020 to 15 March 2021

The Department of Employment and Labour published a new directive dated 15 July 2021. 

This Directive extends TERS benefits from 15 March 2021 to 25 July 2021 for employers who were not permitted to commence operations, either partially or in full and who operated in a Sector which is listed in Annexure A:  i.e.

• Venues hosting auctions.
• Venues hosting professional sports
• Venues where social events are held
• Venues, concerts and live performance
• Any industries that form part of the value chain of the above as per the discretion of the UIF.

The second group of employers can claim TERS from 28 June 2021 to 25 July 2021.  These employers are specified in Annexure B: i.e.

1. Cinemas
2. Theatres
3. Casinos
4. Museums, galleries, libraries and archives
5. Gyms and fitness centres
6. Restaurants
7. Nightclubs
8. Swimming pools
9. Bars, taverns and shebeens
10. Public parks
11. Domestic and international air travel
12. Rail, bus services and taxi services
13. E- hailing services
14. Sale, dispensing and distributions and transportation of liquor
15. Beaches, dams, rivers and lakes
16. Passenger ships
17. Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfast, time-share facilities, resorts and guest houses
18. Conferencing, dining, entertainment and bar facilities
19. International sports, arts and cultural events
20. Any industries and business establishment that form part of the value chain of the above or standalone establishment as per the discretion of the UIF.

Also included are:

1. Employers who are unable to make alternative arrangements for vulnerable employees to work from or take other measures as contemplated in clause 20.3 of the OHS Directions, irrespective of whether the employer operates in a sector specified in Annexure A or B:
2. Or are unable to make use of their services either fully or partially because of operational requirements based on the economic, technological, structural or similar needs of the employer caused by compliance with the Regulations, in particular the need to limit the number of employees at the workplace through roistering, staggering of working hours, short time, and the introduction of shift systems and who operate in a sector as specified in Annexure A or B.
3. Are required to ensure that they remain in isolation or in quarantine in terms of the OHS Direction issued by the Minister of Health following a high risk-contact.  This is in all sectors, and the employee does not need to first exhaust their sick leave before claiming the benefit.

The Directive provides a list of documents that would be required to apply for the benefits for companies outside the industries specified in annexure A or B.

Employees who do not qualify for TERS but are still not able to work full time or earn their full salary can claim the Reduced Working Time Benefit.  Unlike TERS this claim will use their UIF credits (1 day’s UIF for every 4 days contributed to a maximum of 12 months).

We are still having difficulty resolving UIF claims from 2020 for employees:

• Who are foreign nationals
• who had another claim at UIF (Maternity benefits or Ill health benefits)
• was employed during the TERS benefit periods

If you require more information with regard to these claims.  Please contact the office for more information with regard to TERS claims.