Ask Athalie Banner

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 info@groundup.org.za.

Topic: Labour  |  Show questions and answers for all topics

My father was retrenched and sought help from the CCMA. How do we complain if we believe the matter was dealt with unfairly?

Your father will need to take this matter to the Labour Court and can seek legal assistance from Legal Aid.

Read more

A South African au pair agency misrepresented placement and refused to refund fees, how can I protect future applicants?

You can report them to the International Au Pair Association (IAPA) if the agency is a member.

Read more

My wife never received payslips from her employer, how will she receive her UIF benefits if it turns out her employer never registered her?

She can check if she is registered for UIF and if deductions have been made from her salary.

Read more

Can I apply for early retirement without penalties before I turn 55?

No, if you are 54 or younger, you do not meet the requirements.

Read more

My father's Mineworkers Provident Fund only paid a portion of what he was supposed to receive. Why was he paid so little?

Take your father's Mineworkers Provident Fund Statement to SARS and ask them to investigate urgently.

Read more

Why was I penalised on my pension after taking up the early retirement offer from the DPSA in 2019?

The early retirement without penalties policy was only approved in 2024.

Read more

Where can I get the full details of my employment history?

The UIF or Labour Department should be able to give your complete employment history.

Read more

How can I check my UIF balance?

You can go to the UIF uFiling website.

Read more

My employer deducts UIF but doesn’t pay it over, gives no payslips or contracts. What can I do?

It’s illegal for an employer to deduct UIF and not pay it over. Report this to the Labour department or the CCMA.

Read more

How can a long-term foreign mine worker in South Africa apply for permanent residence after many years of annual work permit renewals?

You qualify for permanent residence in terms of section 26 (a) of the Immigration Act, you can apply at Home Affairs, though the process can be slow.

Read more