R54 Million Compensation Project for Ex-Miners in Eastern Cape
The Office of the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) initiated a project involving over 18,500 ex-miners in the Eastern Cape, aiming to compensate them for occupational diseases. Following the appointment of a task team in 2002, funds were approved for payment, and by 2009, over 12,200 ex-miners had been traced and compensated. Despite challenges such as incomplete applications and dwindling claims, CCOD has committed to conducting awareness workshops to reach unclaimed populations. The project has concluded, but ongoing applications will continue under standard operations.
R54 Million Compensation Project for Ex-Miners in Eastern Cape
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Presentation Transcript
Eastern Cape Ex- minersR54 million project14 June 2011Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD)
Introduction • Office of the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) became involved after 1994. • Records were received by the CCOD during the period 1994-1996 from the EC.
Background • Task Team appointed by the then Eastern Cape Premier( August 2002) • Office of the Premier (Chairperson) • National Department of Health • EC Provincial Department of Health • Chamber of Mines • Provincial Department of Labour • Ex-Mine Workers Union (various) • House of Traditional Leaders • NUM
Background Cont. • Old paper files captured/list of 18 500 compiled (January 2003). • Minister of Health approved payment of R 2700.00 to all 18500 ex- miners (March 2003). • CCOD staff deployed to various regions in the Eastern Cape(July - September 2003)
Background Cont. • List of names for ex-miners published (June 2003) • Hospitals / clinics • Labour Centers • Standard Bank branches • Messages advertised on local radio stations/news papers
Background Cont. • CCOD once again deployed staff to the Eastern Cape (September 2005), and again in May 2009 till August 2009. • Ex mineworkers Union was involved in the entire process.
Background Cont. • List of names for ex-miners published again in April 2009 • District Municipalities • Local Municipalities • Department of Labour Offices
Background Cont. • Progress Reports • Steering Committee • To the Inter departmental task team • Labour Portfolio Committee
Background Cont. • Over 12200 ex-miners traced and paid • Process is ongoing
Background Cont. • The project has been closed according to Gazette no 32452. • We then recommend that the applications already in progress be finalized under the project. • New applications must be dealt with as our normal day to day business due to the dwindling numbers. • These statistics do not warrant further monitoring by the Steering Committee.
Progress in payments since the appearance in the Labour Portfolio Committee • 25 Paid • 63 in progress
Challenges • The witnesses are not the family members as agreed by a Steering Committee • Affidavits confirming the relationship of the claimant to the miner are prepared by tribal authorities of other districts • Incomplete application forms and documents • Dwindling rate of claiming
Recommendations • CCOD is going to conduct additional awareness workshops to get to areas that have not claimed such as Mzimkhulu
