We have recently had a spate of queries relating to the registration of domestic workers for UIF purposes. In many of these cases, employers have been negligent in the management of the UIF affairs relating to their domestic workers and it is just a matter of time before they are tackled by officials from the Department of Labour. It is therefore imperative that employers deal with this issue as a matter of urgency.
The labour relationship between employer and domestic worker is specifically covered by Sectoral Determination 7. This document is available on the Department of Labour’s website (www.labour.gov.za) and is certainly worth perusing as it covers all the important issues and contains all the documents that an employer would need to take note of, or use, when managing this relationship.
The first step in this process is registering the domestic worker for UIF purposes. The document that needs to be used is a UI 8D. This document provides the Department of Labour with the employer’s personal and residential details. The second document that must be completed is the UI 19. This document confirms the personal details of the domestic worker and the applicable rate of pay. These forms must be submitted together to the employer’s local Department of Labour.
Once notification is received that the employer has been registered for UIF purposes, the employer must decide whether they intend to make monthly or annual UIF payments. It is certainly much easier to make these payments annually. If the employer chooses to go this route they are required to write to the Department of Labour requesting authorisation to do so.
If this permission is granted, the employer will be required to submit a return and make a payment for the period 1 March to 28 February by 7 March (7 days after the end of that period). If the employer decides to pay monthly, their return has to be submitted by the 7th of the following month. Under either option, the information is submitted on a UI 7 form. The employer must reflect both the employers 1% and the employees 1% on this document. It is advisable to fax the return with the proof of electronic payment to the Department of Labour. Alternatively, hand-deliver the return with the proof of payment attached to your local Labour Office. It is imperative that the employer retain a copy of the return and proof of submission.
Should you have any questions regarding this issue or require assistance with the registration process please contact Dave Beattie [email protected]. The cost of providing assistance with this process is R450 plus VAT.