What should I do if the company I worked for refuses to release my UI-19 form?

The long answer

Your employer is legally obliged to give you your UI-19 form so that you can claim UIF within 12 months of stopping work. You can report your employer to the Department of Labour, and they would send an inspector to your employer. (If more than a year has passed, read this Ask Athalie response: "What can I do if my ex employer has refused to give me my UI-19 form for five years?")

If you are in the Western Cape, you can visit their Walk-in Labour Centre at 9 Wale Street, Mondays to Fridays, between 7:30am and 4pm.

1. Call: 0860 142 142.

2. SMS: Help to 31022.

3. Please Call Me: 079 769 1207.

4. Email: service@westerncape.gov.za.

These are the contact details for the Pretoria and Cape Town Head Offices of the Labour Department:

Pretoria Head Office of Labour Department:

Office Hours: 07:30–16:00 Mon–Fri
Telephone: (012) 309 4000, Fax: 0866889835
Street Address: Laboria House, 215 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, 0001
Postal Address: Private Bag X 117, Pretoria, 0001 ​

​Cape Town Head Office of Labour Department:

Office Hours: 07:30–16:00 Mon–Fri
Telephone: (021) 466 7160, Fax: 0866889835, Fax: (021) 462 2832
Street Address: Room 1207, 12th Floor, 120 Plein Street,
Cape Town, 8000

You probably know that if you resigned or left work of your own choice, you would not be able to claim UIF, but if you were dismissed, you would be able to claim UIF. The documents you need to claim UIF are:

• A copy of your 13-digit bar-coded identity document.

• A copy of your last six payslips.

• Information supplied by your employer (UI-19).

• A service certificate from the employer.

• Proof of registration as a work seeker.

• A fully completed registration form.

You could ask the UIF for advice too. This is the contact number for the UIF Call Centre: 0800 843 843.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie