SSL2601/501/3/2018
Tutorial Letter 501/3/2018 — Social Security Law
(SSL2601) | UNISA Semesters 1 & 2 Study Guide
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
BARCODE
, SSL2601/501
CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE
1. Important information…………………………………………………….... 3
2. Introduction to the study guide…………………………………………... 5
3. Prescribed material………………………………………………………... 5
4. The structure of each study unit…………………………………………. 5
5. How to approach activities and self-assessment questions in the study guide 6
6. The importance of case law and legislation…………………………….. 6
7. Study Unit 1: Introduction to social security……………………………... 7
8. Study Unit 2: Constitutional and rights-based framework……………… 20
9. Study Unit 3: Social Assistance…………………………………………… 38
10. Study Unit 4: Social Insurance……………………………………………. 54
11. Study Unit 5: Unemployment Insurance…………………………………. 73
12. Study Unit 6: Employment Injuries and Diseases………………………. 79
13. Study Unit 7: Health Care…………………………………………………... 88
2
, SSL2601/501
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!
THIS STUDY GUIDE AND TUTORIAL LETTERS YOU WILL RECEIVE CONTAIN
ALL THE WORK THAT YOU NEED TO S T U D Y FOR THIS MODULE. PLEASE
NOTE THAT THERE IS NO PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK FOR THIS MODULE.
The study guide comprises seven study units covering the following topics:
Study unit 1: Introduction to social security
This study unit provides an introduction to the concept of social security, its objectives,
purpose and components. It further provides some background to the development of social
security in South Africa, how it is financed and administered, and explains the role that
international law and ILO conventions play in the development of South Africa’s social security
system. Lastly, the study unit describes the shortcomings in the system and proposals that
have been made by the Taylor Committee for the reform of the social security system in this
country.
Study unit 2: Constitutional and rights-based framework
This study unit looks at the constitutional provision on the right to have access to social
security and the scope of the right to have access to social security in South Africa,
constitutional supremacy, the right to equality in social security context, migrant workers’ right
to social security, the enforcement of the right to social security and the limitation of the right.
Study unit 3: Social assistance
This study unit explores social assistance measures available in South Africa. It looks at
various grants provided for in terms of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004, the
administration of social grants, social relief as a form of assistance, assistance given to people
who suffered hardships caused by the state and challenges facing the provision of social
assistance in this country.
Study unit 4: Social insurance
This study unit introduces the concept of social insurance. It further looks at various risks or
contingencies covered by social insurance in this country namely employment injuries,
unemployment, sickness, old-age, invalidity and maternity.
eeecc
3
, SSL2601/501
Study unit 5: Unemployment insurance
This study unit discusses social security measures available to unemployed people
due to illness, maternity, adoption of a child, etc.
Study unit 6: Employment injuries and disease
This study unit discusses social security p r o t e c t i o n a n d b e n e f i t s available to
employees who suffer a disease or an injury during their working life in South Africa. It
also looks at statutes that regulate protection of employees under such circumstances and
how compensation may be claimed.
Study unit 7: Health care
This study unit looks at South Africa’s health care system, the constitutional right to health
care and health care issues in the social security context. It also looks at the reform of the
system and the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
4
Tutorial Letter 501/3/2018 — Social Security Law
(SSL2601) | UNISA Semesters 1 & 2 Study Guide
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
BARCODE
, SSL2601/501
CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE
1. Important information…………………………………………………….... 3
2. Introduction to the study guide…………………………………………... 5
3. Prescribed material………………………………………………………... 5
4. The structure of each study unit…………………………………………. 5
5. How to approach activities and self-assessment questions in the study guide 6
6. The importance of case law and legislation…………………………….. 6
7. Study Unit 1: Introduction to social security……………………………... 7
8. Study Unit 2: Constitutional and rights-based framework……………… 20
9. Study Unit 3: Social Assistance…………………………………………… 38
10. Study Unit 4: Social Insurance……………………………………………. 54
11. Study Unit 5: Unemployment Insurance…………………………………. 73
12. Study Unit 6: Employment Injuries and Diseases………………………. 79
13. Study Unit 7: Health Care…………………………………………………... 88
2
, SSL2601/501
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!
THIS STUDY GUIDE AND TUTORIAL LETTERS YOU WILL RECEIVE CONTAIN
ALL THE WORK THAT YOU NEED TO S T U D Y FOR THIS MODULE. PLEASE
NOTE THAT THERE IS NO PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK FOR THIS MODULE.
The study guide comprises seven study units covering the following topics:
Study unit 1: Introduction to social security
This study unit provides an introduction to the concept of social security, its objectives,
purpose and components. It further provides some background to the development of social
security in South Africa, how it is financed and administered, and explains the role that
international law and ILO conventions play in the development of South Africa’s social security
system. Lastly, the study unit describes the shortcomings in the system and proposals that
have been made by the Taylor Committee for the reform of the social security system in this
country.
Study unit 2: Constitutional and rights-based framework
This study unit looks at the constitutional provision on the right to have access to social
security and the scope of the right to have access to social security in South Africa,
constitutional supremacy, the right to equality in social security context, migrant workers’ right
to social security, the enforcement of the right to social security and the limitation of the right.
Study unit 3: Social assistance
This study unit explores social assistance measures available in South Africa. It looks at
various grants provided for in terms of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004, the
administration of social grants, social relief as a form of assistance, assistance given to people
who suffered hardships caused by the state and challenges facing the provision of social
assistance in this country.
Study unit 4: Social insurance
This study unit introduces the concept of social insurance. It further looks at various risks or
contingencies covered by social insurance in this country namely employment injuries,
unemployment, sickness, old-age, invalidity and maternity.
eeecc
3
, SSL2601/501
Study unit 5: Unemployment insurance
This study unit discusses social security measures available to unemployed people
due to illness, maternity, adoption of a child, etc.
Study unit 6: Employment injuries and disease
This study unit discusses social security p r o t e c t i o n a n d b e n e f i t s available to
employees who suffer a disease or an injury during their working life in South Africa. It
also looks at statutes that regulate protection of employees under such circumstances and
how compensation may be claimed.
Study unit 7: Health care
This study unit looks at South Africa’s health care system, the constitutional right to health
care and health care issues in the social security context. It also looks at the reform of the
system and the introduction of the National Health Insurance (NHI).
4
