Social Security pushes for compliance at employers

The official wear will ensure that Compliance Officers are easily identifiable to the public and that they present a professional face. All Compliance Officers have also been issued with a unique identification which they show to employers when doing inspections.

The Social Security Commission (SSC) has instructed its compliance officers to lay criminal charges against non-compliant employers to ensure that the Commission fulfils its vision to be a world class provider of social security benefits to its members and other beneficiaries.
In an statement released last week, the Commission says that compliance and adherence to policies and procedures play an important part of the day-to-day business at the SSC and that the core principles of effective corporate governance, financial discipline, and operational efficiency will continue as main themes in running the institution.
According to David Keendjele, SSC’s Acting Executive Officer, in August last year, the Board of Commissioners approved the Compliance Policy for the Social Security Commission which serves to strengthen the role of Compliance Officers in the Commission.
“It is now, almost a year later, and compliance is a buzzword at Social Security Commission. The Compliance Division within the Commission is tasked with ensuring that employers comply with the requirements of the Social Security Act, 1994 (Act 34 of 1994) as well as the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1941 (Act 30 of 1941). Both acts prescribe penalties for non-compliant employers and the Acts give Compliance Officers the authority to enter and inspect premises of employers to ensure adherence to the rules and regulations,” he said.
Keendjele further said, that during 2013, the Compliance Division has laid several criminal charges against non-compliant employers.
“These included some that failed to register employees or did not pay their contributions or failed to pay their assessments. We have instituted legal proceedings against employers. The biggest instances of non-compliance by employers are in respect of failing to register their employees with the Commission, the result being that these employees may not be able to claim from the Commission in the event of maternity, sickness, upon death or retirement and in respect of occupational injuries,” said Keendjele.
More news from the compliance division is the fact that they recently launched the official wear to be worn by all SSC Compliance Officers when on official duty. The official wear will ensure that Compliance Officers are easily identifiable to the public and that they present a professional face to the public. All Compliance Officers have also been issued with a unique identification which they show to employers when doing inspections.
Keendjele concluded by stating that Social Security Commission is serious about increasing benefits to its members and has identified Compliance as a key business objective to reach that goal. The Compliance Division must continue to ensure that employers register their employees and contribute for their employees so that the Commission can continue to improve benefits.
“It is our plan to visit employers continuously, to be accessible and visible and to resolve our members’ complaints professionally and efficiently to ensure that the people who must benefit from the funds are able to do so without delay,” he said.