8 August 2006
After a 16-month hiatus, the Department of Labourâs Compensation Fund is set
to get a permanent Commissioner. The Compensation Fund has not been having a
permanent Commissioner since the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Bongiwe
Magojo in February 2005.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has set aside the whole of next week to
interview candidates for the vacant post of Compensation Fund Commissioner. The
interviews will commence next Monday, 14 August.
The appointment of a permanent Commissioner will go a long way towards
bringing stability and more focus in the workings of the Fund.
The Minister will be looking to appoint a highly competent and capable
person to lead the Fund and drive the turnaround strategy that has been
developed.
The turnaround strategy entails decentralisation of operations to the point
of contact with clients and strategic partnerships. There are four main key
drivers to this effort of enhancing the capacity of the Fund to deliver quality
services on time and being accessible to its clients. These are:
* streamlining and automating business processes to improve operational
efficiency
* appropriately raising assessments, timeously collecting all funds due, whilst
simultaneously increasing our registered employers
* adopting a zero-tolerance, pro-active and reactive approach to all areas of
risk
* appropriately and adequately structuring the Fund, capacitating, skilling and
structuring the staff for maximum service delivery and career-pathing.
The new Commissioner will be expected to build on the successes that have
been notched in the past 16 months in improving service delivery by the
Compensation Fund.
Even though there had been many problems within the Fund which led to the
ultimate dismissal of the previous Commissioner, the Fund turned the corner
with the appointment of Nerine Kahn last year and Phineas Mothiba early this
year respectively, both on an acting basis.
Among the notable accomplishments in the past financial year have been the
development of a three-year strategic plan for the Compensation Fund, the
substantial increased access to services for clients, the launch of a call
centre, improved claims settlement of old and current claims, the establishment
of Regional Medical Advisory Panels as well as financial stability of the
Fund.
The new Commissioner will be expected to add on these achievements and deal
with the substantial challenges still dogging the Compensation Fund.
Enquiries:
Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
8 August 2006
