In the case of unemployment, illness, adoption and dependants benefits, benefits will be paid for a maximum of 238 days (34 weeks) or for the number of days credits that the person has built up during the 4 years leading up to the application for benefits. Credits are given to employees as they work and contribute to the Fund. Employees can earn credits in the following way: for every 6 days that an employee works and contributes to the Fund, they receive 1 day’s credit. So, to qualify for the full 238 days credits the employee must work and have been contributing to the Fund for at least 4 years and not have claimed any days benefits during that period (except maternity benefits).

In the case of maternity benefits, a total of 121 days will be paid if there are enough credits available.

The employee is regarded as having contributed to the Fund from the first day of employment to the day that the services are terminated. A notice period worked before termination of service, is also regarded as a period employed.

The rate at which benefits are paid shifts from 38% for highly paid employees to 58% for lowest paid employees.