Gauteng Health Dept tracing eligible former mineworkers for possible social security benefits
The department said that many mineworkers left the industry without receiving such benefits for occupational diseases like TB.
Picture: Pixabay/Aristal 8595022 1280
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department has begun tracing and registering eligible former mineworkers for possible social security benefits, including medical assistance for work-related illnesses.
The department said that many mineworkers left the industry without receiving such benefits for occupational diseases like TB.
The programme, which is a partnership between the department and the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases, is expected to be rolled out across the country.
Department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba said: "The Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases database shows that there are over 2,000 ex-mineworkers in the West Rand area alone with unclaimed benefits, while 7,500 more across the province are yet to receive what is rightfully theirs."
The registration period began on 24 March and will end on 4 April this year.
The department said that venues across the region would be designated for the process as Modiba explained: "And on the day when they come, we’re expecting that they must have their mineworkers' identity card, their ID documents and any paperwork received from the mining companies that can prove their identity and enable them to be able to register for this."