The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is a social security scheme in South Africa that provides financial assistance to eligible employees who become unemployed.
Employers are legally obligated to register for UIF and contribute to the fund on behalf of their employees.
How to Register for UIF
There are several ways to register for UIF, each with its own advantages:
- Online Registration: This is the quickest and most convenient method. You can register via the Department of Employment and Labour’s uFiling website (https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/register). Before registering online, ensure you have the following information readily available:
- Your South African ID number
- Your business registration details (if applicable)
- Your employees’ ID numbers and earnings information
- Downloading and Submitting Forms: You can download the relevant UIF registration forms from the Department of Labour’s website. The specific forms you need depend on your employment category:
- UI-8 & UI-19: For commercial employers (businesses)
- UI-8D & UI-19: For domestic employers
Once completed, you can submit the forms via email:
- Domestic Employers: [email protected]
- Commercial Employers: [email protected]
The fax number for all employers is 086 600 0333 and the mail address is: Department of Labour, Private Bag X911, Pretoria, 0001.
You can hand in your completed forms at any Department of Labour office.
How to contact UIF call centre
The UIF call centre can be reached at 0800 030 011. They can guide you through the registration process and answer any questions you may have.
Once registered, you are responsible for making monthly UIF contributions on behalf of your employees.
The contribution rate is currently 2% of your employee’s gross monthly salary, with 1% deducted from the employee’s salary and the remaining 1% contributed by you, the employer.