This is according the Department of Employment and Labour. The department confirms almost half of the R16.5 billion disbursed as part of the Covid-19 TERS benefit payment has gone to Gauteng, benefitting over 1.5 million workers. In a statement, the department says this amounts to over R7.9 billion. 

Of all the provinces, the Northern Cape is confirmed to have the lowest number of claimants with R163 million paid to the province for 32 141 workers represented by over 4 000 employers. The North West is recorded as the second last, with R459 million distributed to approximately 90 000 workers who had their applications submitted by 9 184 employers.

The Employment and Labour Department further confirms the second highest recipient province is the Western Cape, followed by KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Free State “with 115 701 workers represented by 14 388 employers who in total claimed R557 million”. Following the Free State is Limpopo with 93 275 workers.

UIF commissioner, Teboho Maruping, highlighted that “these disbursements represent the April and part of May payments”.

Minister Thulas Nxesi has meanwhile announced that the UIF is working around the clock to ensure that outstanding payments are processed as soon as possible and that the department will, through the UIF, continue to shield workers from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The relief scheme has been set up to help businesses that had to temporarily or partially close in adherence to the lockdown regulations.

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