If you employ a domestic worker who works 24 hours or more a month, the law requires you to contribute to UIF for them. UIF costs 2% of the worker's salary each month: 1% from you and 1% deducted from their pay. AskMandla handles the registration and the monthly UIF admin for you, works out the correct amount, shows it on the payslip, and either guides you through payment or submits it on your behalf. We handle the admin so you stay legal.
What UIF is
UIF stands for the Unemployment Insurance Fund. It is a government benefit fund that pays income to workers when:
- They go on maternity or parental leave
- They lose their job
- They cannot work because of illness
- Their employer passes away or becomes insolvent
UIF is required by law for every employer who pays a worker who works 24 hours or more per month.
A worker who resigns cannot claim UIF unemployment benefit. Resigning does not stop them claiming other UIF benefits, such as maternity or illness benefit, if they qualify. A worker who resigns because the employer made the job unbearable may still qualify if the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) finds it was really a dismissal.
Who needs to register
You must register for UIF if:
- You employ a domestic worker, nanny, gardener, or cleaner
- They work 24 hours or more per month
You do not need to register if:
- You employ someone for occasional, irregular work under 24 hours a month
- You hire through an agency that handles UIF for you
What AskMandla does
We take care of the whole UIF process for you:
- Register you as an employer with the Department of Employment and Labour
- Register your employee on your UIF account
- Work out the correct deduction each month
- Show the UIF amount on the payslip
- Guide you through payment, or submit it for you if you choose
We handle the admin. You stay legal.
How much you pay
The total UIF contribution is 2% of the employee's salary each month:
- 1% comes from the employer (you)
- 1% is deducted from the employee's salary
For example, if you pay R3,500 a month:
- You pay R35
- Your employee contributes R35
- Total UIF is R70
How UIF shows on your invoice and payslip
Each month:
- Your invoice includes the employer UIF contribution
- The employee UIF portion is deducted automatically
- The payslip shows both amounts clearly
This gives both you and your worker a clear record of what was deducted.
Where the UIF money goes
If AskMandla is submitting for you:
- We collect the UIF and submit it each month, through uFiling, or to SARS on the EMP201 if you are registered with SARS for PAYE
- We use your UIF reference number and match the payments to the payslips
If you are submitting yourself:
- We give you the amounts and details to pay manually through uFiling or EFT
If you are not registered yet
That is fine. When you sign up:
- We guide you through the registration process
- Or we do it on your behalf, if you choose that option
To get started, we need a copy of your ID, proof of your residential address (dated within the last 3 months), and your employee's details and ID.
Why UIF matters
Without UIF, your worker:
- Cannot claim maternity benefits
- Cannot claim unemployment income
- Cannot claim illness benefit
Their protection against unfair dismissal does not depend on UIF. If you never registered them, their UIF claims stall until your record is fixed, and you are liable for the unpaid contributions, plus a penalty and interest. With UIF in place, your worker has a safety net, and so do you.
Getting help
AskMandla can:
- Check whether you are registered
- Fix problems with uFiling
- Catch up UIF that is behind, from her real start date, with the penalty worked out and every month declared: see UIF back pay
Message us on WhatsApp and say "UIF help".