Compensation for Ex-Mineworkers in the Mthatha Region of South Africa: A Long Road to Travel

Abstract

Background: Ex-mineworkers are sandwiched between scare resources and little hope of being re-employed.
They do not have enough savings to support their families. Expenditure is at its highest when they return,
as their children have grown and are in secondary or senior secondary school. Many are not re-employable
because of poor health and some are disabled.
Objective: To highlight the compensation claims of ex-mineworkers in the Mthatha region of South Africa.
Method: Ex-mineworkers were examined and sent their reports to Medical Bureau of Occupational Diseases
(MBOD) to claim compensation. The detailed histories of these ex-mineworkers were requested by a trained
research assistant at the Benefit Examination Clinic (BEC).
Case Histories: Most mineworkers have indicated that the pride of being a male breadwinner is often lost,
and their wives have to take over this role. Some take to drinking alcohol and run the risk of premature
death. Everyone is healthy at the time of recruitment, but many return diseased. Pulmonary tuberculosis
overshadows underlying silicosis among mineworkers. Oesophageal carcinoma is associated with silicosis
and this could be the reason for its high prevalence in this region.
Conclusion: The MBOD recommended compensation in only 2.5% of cases during the last seven years
in the Mthatha region. There is a long road ahead to get these claims paid out; meanwhile many of the
claimants will die.