In this video, we show the stark realities of Elizabeth and Lehlohonolo, two working-class people who face an extraordinary challenge – accessing their Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits. Their stories highlight the devastating impact of the informalisation of work on women workers, particularly accessing social protection.
Elizabeth, a former Volunteer Food Handler, is still waiting for the money she’s entitled to, and she’s not alone. Thousands of other former Volunteer Food Handlers employed under the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) share her struggle to access their UIF benefits.
A campaign for fair and decent work for Volunteer Food Handlers
The workers who cook meals for millions of learners in South Africa are classified as volunteers and paid a stipend. Recruiting workers as volunteers has become another way of pushing women into unrecognised and low-paid work.
Know more:
Building a campaign to recognise and value the work of Volunteer Food Handlers
