Domestic workers are struggling to put food on the table with no income during the pandemic

On The Covid Report today we focus on the plight of domestic workers, some of whom have not received a salary since the start of the lockdown March. One domestic worker wanted to remain anonymous says her employer has not paid her salary since May. She is asking government to help intervene.

Attorney at the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, Seri, Khululiwe Bhengu says only about 20% of domestic workers were registered for UIF and have not received money from the Labour’s Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) because their employers did not fulfil their legal obligations. Bhengu added that the majority a black women and they are discriminated against. Seri has has made a submission to the National Command Council, the employment and labour minister and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) commissioner seeking a declaration of domestic workers as UIF contributors so they can access income protection during the State of Disaster.