A-Card for UIF payouts
Tshidiso Mothapo
7 April 2004
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has launched the Unemployment Insurance Fund/Teba Bank card to enable beneficiaries to access their money through electronic banking.
The system replaces the old method of paying out UIF benefits by cheque. From now on, the money will be deposited into the beneficiaries' accounts, and the benefits can be withdrawn at any auto teller machine using the "A-card".
The debit card can also be used to buy goods at wholesale or retail stores which run Teba Bank's point of sale device.
The project will be piloted in Lebowakgomo in Limpopo province, to be followed by Welkom in the Free State, before it is rolled out in the rest of the country.
A comprehensive training programme on how to operate Teba Bank's point of sale device for staff at the Lebowakgomo Labour Centre will precede the introduction of the card.
Speaking at launch of the card in Lebowakgomo, Mdladlana said that 11% of UIF
beneficiaries still received their payments by cheque, which presented difficulties in cashing them.
"This partnership with Teba Bank will make sure that people enjoy the benefits of making banking transactions even when they are not employed," the minister said.
Source: BuaNews
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