Fake news: Labour department won’t be making public payouts of R35 000

The Department of Employment and Labour has reiterated its warning to the public to remain vigilant of a scam that continues to make the rounds on social media, promising a payout of between R33 000 and R35 000. 

Scammers have re-created a fake Department of Employment and Labour website using the old coat of arms logo, whereby they ask members of the public to check if their names appear on the list of those that are entitled to withdraw funds.

FAKE NEWS: ‘A RIGHT TO GET R35 000 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR’ 

The fake news website claims that “workers who have worked between 1990 and 2020 have the right to get R35 000 from the Department of Labour.”

“The Department of Employment and Labour has not asked anyone to come forward to receive any of these benefits and will never do so in a manner that it is done through this website,” it said in a statement on 13 August.  

“All the benefits from the department are received by those that have worked for them or are entitled to receive them and are processed at its 125 offices that are spread across the country,” it added. 

When in doubt, members of the public are advised to visit the Department of Employment and Labour Provincial Offices or a nearest Labour Centre to seek information.

To report any suspected criminal acts, members of the public are requested to inform the South African Police Service (SAPS); report on the department’s fraud hotline number: 08600 22 194 or email – fraud@labour.gov.za and or visit the nearest office of the department.

DEPARTMENT RECORDS R40 BILLION IN UIF DISBURSEMENTS 

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has officially hit the magic figure of R40 billion in COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme disbursements to ease the difficulty of workers during the national lockdown.

The department, proud to have delivered on a commitment of R40 billion, said it also committed to an extension of the scheme until 15 August as a result of the change of the disaster period. 

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi added that as part of the agreement at NEDLAC, the UIF will start Monday 17 August to process the July and August claims while ensuring that the outstanding April, May and June claims are also speedily settled.