A coordinated payment model required for paying out benefits due to ex-mineworkers – Committee
The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources has called for a coordinated approach in dealing with benefits that had not been paid to deserving ex-mineworkers.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, said a functional payment model was required for paying out benefits due to ex-mineworkers throughout the country.
“This is a sector of our society that knows suffering and has been exposed to harshest conditions and treatment in the mines. If they have accumulated benefits, which records indicate they have, they should get them,” Mr Luzipo said.
He added: “This is an area of delivery this administration could not afford to fail on. Ex-mineworkers and mineworkers is a sector of our society who literally got nothing from their sweat and contribution to the economy.”
The Committees on Mineral Resources and Labour held a joint meeting to consider the issue involving ex-mineworkers who never received their benefits in the Eastern Cape. The Committees heard that a task team to look into the matter of ex-mineworkers was unable to regularly meet, and that there were too many pieces of law regulating mining benefits.
The Committees resolved to look at the matter by first receiving an update report from the task team that was set up, and the department as well as the Financial Services Board which has information on the retirement fund money.
Mr Luzipo said it was important to speedily attend to the matter of ex-mineworkers in totality and the benefits accorded to them.
“Importantly, this kind of work requires that all legislation is synergised and does not become hindrance to what it seeks to redress. But at the same time the Committees cannot afford to create expectation of something they will not be able to deliver on,” he said.
Enquiries:
Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
