SSC lays down the law for bosses, workers

The Social Security Commission (SSC) has informed all employers that it will no longer accept late registrations for the Maternity Leave, Sick Leave and Death Benefits (MSD) Fund from March 1 next year. SSC spokesman Rino Muranda said it is the duty of employers to register their workers within 30 days from the date on which they are employed. Muranda said it is a criminal offence not to comply with the Social Security Act, and criminal charges may be laid against any person who fails to comply with the provisions. Muranda also said that employees earning above N$81 300 per year will now be required to contribute to the Employees Compensation Fund (ECF). He said workers will now be included in the mandatory cover for work-related injuries or accidents, such as payment of medical expenses in respect of work-related injuries/diseases, payment of transport costs to medical facilities, temporary and permanent disability, compensation for occupational diseases or injuries and pension payouts and burial expense payments to dependents if an injury or disease is fatal. Muranda said employers are advised to include all their employees who earn up to N$81 300 a year in the wage return due to be submitted in March 2014. However, he said employers who wish to enter into a special arrangement with the SSC to pay for workers earning above N$81 300 a year may still do so by completing an E.As 10 form, obtainable from all SSC offices. He further said that the commission will now pay benefits directly into the claimant's bank account. "Therefore members, beneficiaries and service providers are urged to provide their banking details when submitting claims," he said. He said claimants are required to provide proof of ownership of their bank account, such as bank statement or a form that must be stamped by the bank. The form can be obtained from any SSC office. Muranda said as from March 1 this year, the commission discontinued the issuance of monthly invoices or pre-printed form 10s in respect of the MSD Fund. "The commission would hence like to reiterate that it is obligatory for every employer to deduct monthly contributions from his/her employees' basic wage and pay such contributions, together with the contribution payable as an employer, over to the commission within the prescribed period, 30 days after the month-end, as prescribed in section 21(4) of the Social Security Act, 1994 (Act No 34 of 1994)." He added the return must always be submitted to the commission together with the payment or proof of payment. Muranda also reminded all employers with outstanding wage returns for 2012 and previous years to submit them without further delay. He said the due date for submitting wage returns for last year was March 31. "Failure to submit wage returns will leave the commission with no other alternative but to strictly enforce Section 69 (7) of the Employees' Compensation Act by estimating the assessment of such employer and such assessment shall be final," Muranda reminded all employers who have outstanding debts to settle their accounts without further delay. "If you have registered the business with the commission as an employer and your business is no longer in operation, you are requested to inform the commission immediately," he said. "Failure to inform the commission will result in the account being charged with unnecessary debits, for which you will be held liable," Muranda said. WINDHOEK STAFF REPORTER