BCL forks over P1m for occupational diseases

Mpho Mokwape | Wednesday November 28, 2018 16:20

 

The Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Tshenolo Mabeo has said the mine has paid a total amount of P1,798,090.07 for former employees diagnosed with an occupational disease.

He explained that currently 87 former employees had been diagnosed with an occupational disease called Noise Induced Hearing Loss. 

“Their cases have been reported to the ministry and there are no other cases involving other occupational diseases reported so far,” he said.

Mabeo said of the 87 cases involving hearing loss, 82 workers have been paid compensation while four are awaiting payment and one awaits second medical assessment. 

However, the minister explained that out of the 82 that have been paid, four have asked for the review of the amount they were initially paid. 

He said four cases awaiting payment have been assessed for a total amount of P128,802.90.

Mabeo also noted that the information collected from the liquidator was that the ex-miners had been referred to different specialists in government hospitals through the Selebi Phikwe government hospital.

The minister was answering questions from the Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse who had wanted his fellow member to state the number of former employees living with occupational diseases or conditions such as silicosis, cancers, hearing loss, skin diseases, emphysema, obstructive lung diseases reported to his office.

He had also wanted to know how many of the said workers were entitled to compensation and the total amount owed. 

Also to explain how the patients are assisted besides consideration for compensation like referrals to health specialists.