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Dear reader,

I just received some information about how to successfully apply for UIF.

The Labour Minister has given notice to amend the Unemployment Insurance Fund Act (UIFA). The changes are still open for comment, so visit the Department of Labour’s website, and give your two cents.

If the changes go through, the following proposed amendments to the definitions under Sub-Regulation 1 will become law...

1. ‘Identity document’: will mean the 13-digit bar-coded RSA and non-RSA identity document or a RSA bar-coded passport. It includes valid foreign identity documents of spouses, life partners or dependent children of deceased contributors. 
    
2. The term ‘life partner’ will now be included in the definitions. This is any adult person in a hetero- or homosexual relationship with another adult. This relationship must be permanent, exclude anyone else, involve co-habitation, be a mutually supportive one (including reciprocal financial support).
    
3. ‘Proof of identity’ will be when a Department of Labour (DoL) official will require you (for benefits or for payment of any amount in terms of the Act) to produce an ID. This includes foreign identification documents of spouses, life partners or dependent children of deceased contributors. The DoL may not retain this document! The respective embassies must verify the foreign identification documents. 

Yours sincerely,

Lucelle Buchler
Editor-in-Chief: Labour Watch Newsletter