Time has come for workers to agitate for the change of legislation dealing with the compensation of employees for injuries and diseases sustained on duty to include domestic workers, Shakes Mkhonto, Compensation Fund commissioner, told a rally in Bela-Bela on Thursday.
The event marked the launch of the educational campaign on Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) that will see Department of Labour officials criss-crossing the country to create awareness among workers, communities and stakeholders.
“Just as we now have domestic workers enjoying benefits such as unemployment insurance fund, it is about time that the benefits of Coida are extended to them,’’ he said amidst a loud applause.
He said it was not unusual for domestic workers to fall or get injured as they go about their daily routines. Failure to enable them to claim compensation for such injuries amounts to unfair discrimination, he said.
He said the rally constituted part of the “face-to-face” engagement advocated by President Jacob Zuma and Labour Minister, Nelisiwe Oliphant.
“We should move out of those posh and air-conditioned offices and come to see for ourselves the pain that many forgotten workers go though day in and day out because they may have been under compensated for their injuries or diseases. Someone has to show that we care as government,’’ he said.
“It is inhuman for us to deal with you through an exchange of documents without seeing first hand what you have gone through.’ Mkhonto said.
He said the fund paid in excess of R4 billion in claims each year. “We also know that we only pay workers about R190 million per year in claims. That tells you that something is not right somewhere,’’ he said.
Enquiries:
Johannes Mokou (Provincial Communication Manager)
Tel: 015 290 1603
Cell: 083 494 2180
E-mail: johannes.mokou@labour.gov.za
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Source: Department of Labour
