The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has launched a zero-rated mobile app, as well as a free Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform to enable clients to access UIF services at any time.

This will go a long way to reducing long queues at the labour centres.

The app, which was launched yesterday, will bring services to the people and enable UIF clients to access services at any time, from anywhere – at no cost.

Unveiling the platforms during a media briefing in Cape Town, UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping said the USSD and mobile app will promote greater self-service for clients, reduce long queues in the labour centres and alleviate pressure on officials.

Maruping believes the platforms will put more money in the pockets of clients because they will save on transport costs currently incurred when visiting labour centres.

Ease of access

“There is really no better time than now to do this to ensure that workers begin to access services at their fingertips. We are moving with the times to create a better, more capable UIF that leverages technology to respond to challenges on the ground and changes in the external environment,” Maruping said.

He added the UIF recognises that most of their clients may not be in the best financial position when they need to access their services, hence the initiative to launch the mobile app and USSD platform.

Maruping said the two platforms also enable clients to check their UIF registration status, which will improve non-compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 by employers who fail to register, declare and pay contributions for their workers.

“By simply dialling *134*843# on any cellular phone for free, clients can, among others, submit a continuation of payment or check their claim and payment status, instead of visiting a labour centre. The same services can also be accessed on our mobile app, which can be downloaded from either Google Play Store, App Store for IOS phones or the Huawei App Store,” Maruping explained.

Check your status

The commissioner called on all UIF contributing workers to use these platforms to check their registration status, while in employment, and urged them not to wait until they are no longer working.

“If you find that your employer has not registered you, but is deducting UIF, then immediately report this to a labour inspector so it can be corrected,” Maruping said.

The commissioner stressed that the fund is committed to taking bold steps to improve service delivery.

The UIF will go on roadshows to educate clients in all provinces and implement a mass media campaign.

“In addition to these new platforms, we recently installed free Wi-Fi at all labour centres around the country to enable clients to access our services online and reduce the time it takes to queue for assistance. Meanwhile, our mobile buses continue to take services to the doorsteps of clients, especially in deep rural and remote areas,” Maruping said.

Maruping also visited the Bellville labour centre to interact with clients and promote the platforms. – SAnews.gov.za