80% domestic workers don’t have UIF

The plight of domestic workers has been highlighted in many a platform – low wages, long working hours in contravention of workers’ rights, and subjected to abuse from their employee. Now, news that 80% of the domestic workers don’t have unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) shows that their plight is worse than previously thought, UIF’s Commissioner, Boaz Seruwe.
Without access to UIF, domestic workers cannot access unemployment and maternity benefits. Additionally, an opposition legislator raised the issue of the communication between the UIF and employers of domestic workers who do not use the electronic U-Filing system in Parliament.  “No emails, letters, or telephone calls are made to employers who submit payments manually, and no invoices or receipts are issued,” he said.
“I have today written to the Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, requesting that she reviews the current Strategic Plan to ensure the target for increased employer registration is set far higher than the current target of 4%.
“This will go far in remedying the fact that 80% of domestic workers are unregistered and remain outside of the system,” he added.