The Minister of Labour has published for comment a new Assessment Model for the Compensation Fund in GG 41977 dated 16 October.

The proposals are to regroup the current 102 subclasses into 5 and add a new one for households. Amongst the reasons stated are " to reduce disputes and audit referrals and also to simplify the process of dealing with the fund".

Depending on your current classification, this may either be a blessing or a curse...The new groupings are of particular interest and one that caught the eye is that Banking, Finance and Insurance would fall under Class 4 with their current contribution rate of R 0.11 being increased to R 0.28. Amongst the "winners" in this class would be Local Authorities and Divisional Councils who would see their contribution rate decreased from R 0.80 to the proposed R 0.28. In the same class we also find Parks and Nature Reserves who's rate would decrease from R 1.19 to R 0.28.

If accepted, the new groupings and rates would be phased in over a three year period.