28 Nov 2018

Parliament has heard that 87 former BCL employees who were diagnosed with Noise Induced Hearing Loss have reported their cases to the Ministry of Empowerment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development.

However, Minister Tshenolo Mabeo said no other cases involving other occupational diseases were reported to the ministry.

He stated that out of the 87 cases, 82 workers had been paid workers compensation while four were awaiting payment, and one awaited second medical assessment.

Out of the 82 that had been paid, four had asked for review of the amount they were initially been paid.

The minister said the total amount that had been paid was P1 798 090.07 adding that the four cases awaiting payment had been assessed for a total amount of P128 802.90.

Minister Mabeo said information obtained from the liquidator was that the ex-miners had been referred to different specialists in government hospitals through Selebi-Phikwe Hospital.

Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to brief the House on occupational health and safety of former BCL employee and to specifically, state the number of former BCL employees living with occupational diseases/conditions reported to his office.

He also wanted the minister to state how many of the said workers were entitled to compensation and the total amount owed, as well as to explain how the patients were assisted besides considerations for compensation such as referrals to health and/or other specialists. ENDS