Frequently Asked Questions

How are Earned Wages generated? Is it extra work?

Earned wages are the income that is generated with every day of work, as part of the employee’s regular contract. The balance accrues with every hour or every day worked.

Is the Hela Mawingu service always available? Can employees always withdraw whenever they want?

The app runs 24/7, 365 days a year. However, there is a blackout period for a few days at the end of every paycycle to account for net salary calculations. During these periods employees can’t withdraw any money and have to wait until their typical payday.

Is there an interest in the money withdrawn?

No, the money available is the teacher’s own accumulated earned wages, it is not a loan nor an advance.

How is the money withdrawn recovered?

The money withdrawn does not need to be recovered, as it is not a loan or an advance. The amount withdrawn is deducted from the final payslip at the end of the pay period.

Is there a transaction cost?

Yes, CloudPay NOW is subject to a fixed cost per transaction. These costs are charged to the employee when withdrawing their earned wages. However, for the Hela Mawingu program, transactions are at a lower negotiated price. In addition, the costs are much lower than the interest that would be paid for a similar loan, opening and closing costs, or even typical mobile money transactions.

What if an employee needs more money than they have accrued?

As the Hela Mawingu program is not a credit product, employees can’t withdraw more than they have already accrued within the school rules. However, by being able to access their earned wages, the amount they will need to get a loan for will be smaller, therefore reducing the risk and the interest to be paid.

How can CloudPay NOW help teachers improve their financial literacy and skills?

The app has a wellness section with financial education articles and videos, which can help increase financial literacy as well as motivate teachers to take better care of their finances. Additionally, there is also the possibility of setting up financial goals, with reminders and tips to support achievement.

Is this program only for teachers, or can other non-teaching roles in schools benefit?

Any of the staff in your school can participate in the Hela Mawingu program, not just teachers!

Can employees being paid in cash participate?

Yes. The earned wages can be paid out to a mobile money account such as M-PESA or Airtel Money, as well as a bank account, credit or debit card, so employees have plenty of options to get their money. This money is deducted from their final pay at the end of the pay period.   

How are variable salary roles managed?

Variable salary roles are very easy to manage. You can either adjust the earned wages available, or compensate at the end of the pay period with the net pay.

What happens if an employee contract is terminated before the end of the month?

Employees only have available money they have already earned or accumulated, not their full monthly salary. Therefore, if an employee is terminated before the end of the month, they would have only had access to money they already earned, which would then be deducted from their settlement.

Does CloudPay NOW impact payroll/gross-to-net calculations?

No, as the money that is withdrawn is net pay, so that amount is simply deducted from the net payslip at the end of the pay period.  

If you any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact cloudpayafrica@cloudpay.com!