Committee briefed on compensating miners

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The Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) has identified approximately 103,000 ex-mine workers with compensable claims, with more claims being processed.

The committee is currently visiting Gauteng as part of its oversight function.

The members were impressed by the progress made in compensating miners. Most of the ailing miners are suffering from TB and have been called to lodge claims.

Director at the MBOD, Dr Tladi Ledibane, explained to committee members that prior to the miners receiving compensation, they need to submit forms and thereafter a panel of medical doctors provide medical surveillance for all the people who worked at the mines.

Dr Tladi said a panel of doctors conduct tests make a decision on whether to grant compensation or not.

Dr Sam Molautsi from the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) told committee members they pay miners who have declared that they are sick.

"Money is paid directly into miners' bank account, this is in terms of the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act," he said.

Also speaking was Dr Sophia Kisting, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), who suggested that new compensation laws and legislatives must be put in place to prevent some of the diseases.

She added that health at workplaces was very important.

The compensation system for occupational diseases for workers in the mining sector in South Africa is managed under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act No 78 of 1973 (ODMWA).

According to Mpho Ndaba, Director at the Presidency DPME on the Special Presidential Package for the Revitalisation of Distressed Mining Towns, occupational health has been neglected.

Ndaba said he was happy that something is being done to compensate the ailing miners.

Ndaba said that this is part of the outcomes of Special Presidential Package for the revitalisation of distressed mining towns which is improving the working conditions of mine workers.

The Department of Health, through its MBOD, is rolling out Project KU-RIHA as part of the Special Presidential Package aimed at compensating 100 000 successful active mine and ex-mineworkers claimants who contracted occupational lung diseases as a result of mine dust at the time of working in the mines.

To effect payment of the claims, the MBOD together with the Gold Group made up of eight mining companies formed a working group that will ensure that the compensable claims are paid to the rightful claimants over a period of six months which started in May 2015 to October 2015.

The eight mining companies have committed R5 million which has enable the MBOD and CCOD to employ a project manager and a further 18 financial and government administration professionals to carry out the necessary work.

The oversight visit will allow committee members to contextualise problems encountered, know about progress made in compensating ailing miners, mobilises resources for the MBOD and CCOD among other things.