If domestic workers are not registered with the fund and if employers and domestic workers do not pay the monthly contributions the Department of Labour can issue heavy fines.

If a domestic worker is working for more than one employer, all of their employers must contribute to the Fund.

The Fund can provide different kinds of benefits:

• Unemployment benefits - A domestic worker who contributed to the fund and whose employment has been terminated can claim. (Note: You cannot claim if you resign from your job.)
• Illness benefits - A domestic worker who can't work because of ill health can claim for 6 months.
• Death benefits - If a domestic worker who contributed to the fund dies, their dependents can claim.
• Adoption benefits - A worker who contributes to the fund who is adopting children below two years of age can claim if they take unpaid leave to look after the child.
• Maternity benefits - A domestic worker who is pregnant claim maternity benefits before and after the child is born.

• Register with the fund
• Pay monthly contributions
• Apply for benefits

It is the employer's responsibility to register their domestic worker with the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

You can register a Domestic Worker for UIF in one of the following ways:

• By submitting the completed registration forms
• By registering over the phone
• By registering online.

Registration Forms

To register you will need to have your ID number and your domestic worker's ID number and other details. Form UI 8 D needs to be completed with the employer's details and form UI 19 D needs to be completed with the domestic worker's details.

You can submit the completed forms by:

• Taking them to your nearest Labour Centre.
• Faxing them to 012 337 1636.
• Emailing them to domestics@uif.gov.za.

These forms can also be faxed to you. Dial 086 712 2000 and follow the instructions and the forms will be sent to you. If you get forms this way, you need to fax the completed forms back to 086 713 3000.

Registering telephonically

You can register by calling 012 337 1680 during office hours. You will need to have the employer and employee's ID numbers.

Online Registration

You can also register online. You will need to fill out the online registration form, then you will be given a logon name and password. Your password and account will be activated within 48 hours. You can then submit your declarations online.

Every month the employer contributes 1% of what they pay to the domestic worker to the Fund. The domestic worker also contributes 1%. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that these payments are made.

The contributions must be paid before the 7th of every month. Alternatively, the contributions can be paid in advance every 3, 6 or 12 months. Employers registered for tax purposes must pay their contribution to the South African Revenue Service. Those employers who are not registered for tax purposes must pay their contributions directly to the UIF .

If you would like to pay your contributions once a year rather than every month, you need to send a request to annual.upfront@labour.gov.za. You need to include your employer reference number in the message.

If you are a domestic worker who is registered with the Fund and you have been making the required contributions to the fund, you can claim illness, maternity, adoption and dependent's benefits.

When you apply for these benefits, you will need to have:

• A copy of your ID
• A copy of your payslips (you will need two payslips if you get paid once a month and four payslips if you get paid every week)
• A service certificate from your employer
• A fully completed application form
• Form UI 19 containing your details.

• Contact your nearest labour centre
• Visit the Department of Labour website
• Call the UIF at 012 337 1700.