VukaWork Terms of Service

Welcome to VukaWork

By using VukaWork, you agree to these terms and conditions. Please read them carefully before using our platform.

VukaWork is a platform that connects Job Seekers with Job Posters for freelance and casual work opportunities in South Africa.

1. User Roles and Registration

1.1 User Types

• Job Seekers: Individuals looking for work opportunities
• Job Posters: Individuals or businesses posting job opportunities
• Users can switch between roles at any time through their profile settings

1.2 Eligibility

• Users must be 18 years or older
• Users must provide accurate and truthful information
• Users must have legal authorization to work in South Africa

2. Platform Fees and Payment

2.2 Payment Terms

• Minimum budget: R150 per job per seeker
• Payments are processed through TradeSafe escrow service
• Payment required within 24 hours of job acceptance
• Funds released automatically after job completion confirmation
• Platform fees are deducted from both poster payments and seeker payouts

2.3 TradeSafe Integration

• All payments are secured through TradeSafe escrow
• Your money is protected until job completion
• Dispute resolution available through TradeSafe platform

3. Job Posting and Applications

3.1 Job Posting Requirements

• Accurate job descriptions required
• Clear payment amount and job requirements
• Specified number of workers needed
• Job location and timing must be accurate
• Jobs cannot be significantly modified after posting

3.2 Application Process

• Job Seekers can apply to available jobs
• Job Posters review and accept applications
• Accepted applications create binding work agreements
• Communication through in-app chat system only

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

4.1 Cancellation Windows & Refund Distribution

Refund Type 2: Warning Cancellation (8-24 hours before job start)

• Poster receives: 60% refund
• Seeker receives: 30% compensation
• Platform retains: 10% processing fee

Refund Type 3: Critical Cancellation (<8 hours before job start)

• Poster receives: 40% refund
• Seeker receives: 50% compensation
• Platform retains: 10% processing fee

4.2 Job Seeker Cancellations

• Can cancel anytime before job start without financial penalty
• Late cancellation may affect profile rating
• Repeated cancellations may result in account restrictions
• No compensation received for self-initiated cancellations

4.3 No-Show Policy

• Job Seeker no-shows: Treated as Refund Type 1 (Poster gets 95% refund)
• Job Poster no-shows: Full payment released to Seeker
• Disputes handled through TradeSafe resolution process
• Repeated no-shows may result in account suspension

5. User Conduct and Community Guidelines

5.1 Prohibited Activities

• Posting false or misleading information
• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior
• Attempting to circumvent platform fees
• Sharing contact information to conduct business off-platform
• Posting illegal or inappropriate content

5.2 Quality Standards

• Complete jobs as agreed and on time
• Communicate professionally and respectfully
• Provide accurate skills and experience information
• Report issues or disputes promptly

6. Privacy and Data Protection

6.1 POPIA Compliance

• We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act
• Your personal information is collected and processed lawfully
• Data is used only for legitimate business purposes
• You have rights regarding your personal information

6.2 Information Sharing

• Profile information is visible to other users for matching purposes
• Payment information is shared with TradeSafe for processing
• We may share data when required by law
• See our Privacy Policy for detailed information

7. Ratings and Reviews

7.1 Rating System

• Users can rate each other after job completion
• Ratings are displayed on user profiles
• Consistently low ratings may result in account restrictions
• False or malicious ratings are prohibited

7.2 Review Guidelines

• Reviews must be honest and based on actual experience
• Personal attacks or inappropriate language are not allowed
• Reviews cannot be edited after submission
• We reserve the right to remove inappropriate reviews

8. Account Management

8.1 Account Security

• You are responsible for maintaining account security
• Use strong passwords and keep login credentials private
• Report suspicious activity immediately
• We are not liable for unauthorized account access

8.2 Account Suspension and Termination

• We may suspend accounts for policy violations
• Serious violations may result in permanent termination
• Users can delete their accounts at any time
• Data retention follows our Privacy Policy terms

9. Dispute Resolution

9.1 Internal Resolution

• Users should first attempt to resolve disputes directly
• VukaWork customer support can mediate disputes
• TradeSafe handles payment-related disputes
• We aim to resolve disputes within 7 business days

9.2 Legal Disputes

• These terms are governed by South African law
• Disputes will be resolved in South African courts
• Mediation is preferred before litigation
• Legal fees may be awarded to the prevailing party

10. Limitation of Liability

10.1 Platform Liability

• VukaWork is a platform connecting users; we are not an employer
• We are not responsible for the quality of work performed
• Users are responsible for their own safety and security
• We do not guarantee job availability or payment amounts

10.2 Damage Limitations

• Our liability is limited to the amount of fees paid to us
• We are not liable for indirect or consequential damages
• Users indemnify us against claims arising from their use
• Insurance coverage is the responsibility of individual users

11. Intellectual Property

11.1 Platform Content

• VukaWork owns all platform intellectual property
• Users grant us license to use content they post
• Users retain ownership of their original content
• Respect copyright and intellectual property of others

12. Changes to Terms

12.1 Updates

• We may update these terms from time to time
• Users will be notified of significant changes
• Continued use constitutes acceptance of updated terms
• Previous versions are archived for reference

13. Contact and Support

14. Acknowledgment

By using VukaWork, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

These Terms of Service are effective as of the date stated above and apply to all users of VukaWork services.