18 Aug 2020

Parliament has been informed that 17 employees were medically retired from various positions at Debswana Jwaneng Mine after being medically declared incapacitated to continue with employment from  2016 to date.

Responding to a question, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi said of these, a total of 11 employees who medically retired due to natural illnesses and were paid all their terminal benefits including the Occupational Disability benefit under the company’s suit of employee insured benefits among others.

Other than the two pending queries, Mr Moagi said where one was undergoing medical assessment and the other under review by the Department of Labour and Social Security, there were no other outstanding payments with regards to that matter.

He said Debswana Diamond Company has had in place a Medical Boarding Policy and Procedure, both of which are supported by an Occupational Health and Safety Agreement with Botswana Mine Workers Union .

Mr Moagi explained that the documents recognised that an individual may whilst in employment, become unable to perform their duties due to ill health arising out for natural causes, injury on duty or an occupational disease.

Mr Moagi added that in any of the instances referred to, where it was medically ascertained that an employee was no longer able to perform their duties and where no alternative position was available to absorb such individual, the employee was medically boarded with benefits and or compensation.

Minister Moagi noted that the statutory requirements for compensation under the Workers Compensation Act (WCA), which was facilitated by the Department of Labour and Social Security, were fulfilled following medical assessment to determine the extent of disability and the rate of compensation due to an individual.

Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi South Sam Brooks  asked the minister if he was aware of employees of Debswana Jwaneng Mine who had been medically boarded. Ends