TERS payments to resume on 26 July
TERS payments to resume on 26 July. File photo
The government’s Covid-19 temporary employer/employee relief scheme (TERS) will resume later this month for workers negatively affected by the level 4 restrictions put in place a week ago.
Parties at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) have agreed to revive TERS in principle, according to Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla.
He told Independent Media that TERS would return to focus on restricted sectors such as liquor, tourism, hospitality, restaurant and travel.
“This principled agreement is going to the cabinet and the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) for final approval in the next few days,” he said.
Pamla added that applications should start on 19 July and payments on 26 July.
“We’ve asked them to see if they can’t bring this forward. So far this covers two weeks’ lockdown. But if the lockdown is extended, then they would be open to engaging on that.
“We’ve said as long as we have some workers and sectors under restrictions, then we need to provide relief to them.”
The Unemployment Insurance Fund has yet to agree to the union’s demands, but has agreed to cost them and table them at the Cabinet meeting this week.
Cosatu wants workers to get relief as soon as possible.
“At a broad level there’s agreement, which is critical. A ministerial directive is being drafted and a payment system is being set up,” Pamla added.
Department of Employment and Labour spokesperson Musa Zondi said no decision had been taken on extending TERS, but added that it was not opposed to helping workers.
He said such a move depended on the approval of the national joint operational and intelligence structure and Cabinet.