Poor service from Department of Labour

In August 2020 I was retrenched as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic. My attempts to claim UiF benefits were initially blocked due to an application surroundng TER's payments being claimed by my previous employeer. Numerous attempts to register on the uFiling web site were unsuccessful and in December 2020 I resorted to physically going to the DoL offices again without success. Since January 2021, I have made many calls to the DoL and submitted the neccessary documentation as requested without success. My application still reflects awaiting assessment since 12th December 2020 and despite DoL employees assurance that my application has been escalated there has been absolutely no progress. Despite reference numbers, promises of escalation, alleged communication forwarded to me and assurances by DoL staff members that the matter will be resolved it would appear that the department is totally disfunctional. My experience is that the deparments efficiency is to say the least shocking and I am sure there are many other South Africans who like me have contributed to the UIF for many years, in my case over 40 years and are still awaiting the payment of benefits. It is now July 2021 and some 10 months since my retrenchment and like many South Africans affected by COVID my financial situation is critical. I appeal to the DoL please get your act together. Unfortunately, your performance is just another exampme of the abismal, poor and substandard service that we as South Africans have to live with daily. Hopefully this post will get some response from those officials at the DoL and I like many others can look forward to receiving the benefits due to them. I encourage others to voice their experience and any advice they may have to others to make this challenging process easier. Come on DoL I challenge you to resolve this situation not just mine but for all those individuals who are in a similar situation. Lynnette Cunningham.