Answers to your questions
Have a question you would like answered? Email us and we may answer it. The questions here are based on ones from our readers, with identifying information removed.
Please note: GroundUp is just a news agency. We are not lawyers or financial advisors, and we have nothing to do with SASSA, Home Affairs, or any other government bodies. We do our best to make the answers accurate using publicly available information, but we cannot accept any legal liability if there are errors. If you notice any discrepancies, please email [email protected].
Topic: Labour | Show questions and answers for all topics
If I divorce my husband, will he be able to claim 50% of my pension if we are married out of community of property with an antenuptial contract without accrual?
Not if you got married on or after 1 November 1984.
Do ZEP holders still need to apply for skills waivers from the South African Qualifications Authority and the labour department to confirm their qualifications?
Yes. Since Home Affairs' issuing of Circular 7, foreign nationals can now apply for their waivers from the labour department directly.
What happens if I get fired after 1 September 2024 when the new retirement laws come into effect?
You will still be able to withdraw any funds saved in your vested pot before 1 September 2024.
Will I lose my provident fund if I move to a different country?
No, as of 1 September 2024, you can withdraw any funds saved before that date if you lose your job or resign.
What can I do if my UIF maternity benefits still haven't been paid over a year since I applied?
You should lay a complaint with the UIF. If they don't help, you can escalate your complaint to the call centre at 0800 030 007.
How does medical boarding work?
It depends on the company's pension or provident fund rules, but usually they leave it to the insurance company to decide whether you qualify. If you do, you will be paid a monthly stipend.
How should I set up annual leave for my elderly mother's caregiver, as they will be needed more as her condition deteriorates?
Given the legal requirements surrounding annual leave, it may be simpler to employ more than one carer.
I think the company I resigned from for mistreating me is doing something to stop me from getting my provident fund. What can I do?
If this is the case, you can report your employer to the trustees of the fund, who will take action.
Do I qualify for benefits if I was diagnosed with TB three years after leaving my mining job?
No, you can only receive compensation if you were diagnosed with TB within one year of leaving work. But if you can prove you had latent TB prior, you might have a shot.
What should I do if the company I worked for refuses to release my UI-19 form?
You can report them to the labour department.