Today I am visiting Mr Amos Mabuza, one of the individuals whose plight was highlighted by media in recent weeks (eNCA Checkpoint).

Mr Mabuza’s sight is badly impaired apparently as a result of contact with chemicals used at his place of work � Silverton Radiators.

The incident was not reported by his employer � contrary to the rules of the Compensation Fund – and they offered him no assistance. Indeed, it seems that he was fired after decades of service, and he’s been unemployed for three years.

First, I would like to express our heartfelt sympathies as the Department of Employment and Labour and the Compensation Fund for the injustice that Mr Mabuza has suffered, and to assure him that the Department and the Fund are urgently investigating his case with a view to rapidly processing his compensation claim, as well as that of Mr Majola who we visited yesterday.

We would also like to flag the important role played by media in exposing these injustices. In the case of Mr Majola he suffered serious burns at work and again received no assistance from his employer � who tried to shuffle off responsibility onto the Labour Brokers involved.

Earlier this year, as the Department and the Compensation Fund, we launched a campaign to encourage those who have suffered workplace accidents or diseases, and where claims were not processed, to report this to our Labour Centres which are located throughout the country.

I believe that the recent media coverage of the two cases will inspire others to come forward with their details to our Labour Centres.

I need to add that it is impossible to place an inspector in every workplace, and we therefore rely on the activism of shop stewards and the public, as well as the goodwill of responsible employers. However, I will be announcing in my Budget Vote speech this week that during this financial year the Department will augment its Occupational Health and Safety team of inspectors with an additional 500 officers. I trust this will go a long way to strengthening occupational health and safety in the workplace.

Thank you.

Source: Department of Labour