UIF launches free mobile app to speed up its services

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has launched a zero-rated mobile app and 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 recently, 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. “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,” Maruping said.

He said 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 compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act 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 Huawei App Store,” Maruping explained. 

The Commissioner also called on all UIF contributing workers to use these platforms to check their registration status, whilst in employment, and not 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. - SAnews.gov.za