South Africa Government : Parliament holds public hearings on unemployment insurance bill, 3 Feb

The Portfolio Committee on Labour will on Wednesday next week (03 February) host public hearings into the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill (UI Bill).

The Chairperson of the Committee Ms Lumka Yengeni said the intention of the Bill was to empower workers who have just lost their employment by extending benefits that are usually entitled to after losing their jobs.

'The UI Bill is really intended to empower poor people by extending unemployment benefits to a wide range of citizens affected by unemployment including public servants, and learners who are undergoing learnership training,' Ms Yengeni said.

'Other matters contemplated in the Bill are maternity benefits, enforcement provisions, employment services and entitlement to unemployment insurance benefits even for women who have had miscarriage,' she said.

The Bill was carried over from the previous administration and the Committee hopes to finalise it this year. Public hearings will happen in Parliament on Wednesday, and attendants will include labour representatives, business, academics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: [phone]
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: [e-mail]