Department of Labour Confirms: It Does Not Issue Proof of Unemployment Letters

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The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) issued a Notice clarifying that it does not provide letters confirming unemployment status.

This follows reports that some universities and colleges are asking parents or guardians to get such letters from Labour Centres to support funding applications. DEL has confirmed this is incorrect. The Department’s role is to manage Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims for people who previously contributed, not to verify or certify if someone is unemployed. The law doesn’t allow DEL to issue these kinds of confirmation letters.

📌 What you need to know

The DEL urges all citizens to refrain from visiting Labour Centres and note the following:

• Labour Centres will not give you proof of unemployment

• Please don’t queue for letters they are not allowed to issue

• Institutions asking for such letters should find alternative ways to verify financial need.