The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), has concluded a long-running outreach programme aimed at assisting ex-mine workers and their families with benefits and compensation claims in the Eastern Cape.
The outreach programme concluded at Mthatha Stadium on Friday, following engagements with ex-mine workers and beneficiaries seeking assistance with outstanding claims, occupational diseases, and other benefits.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane also participated in an ex-mine workers round-table discussion at the Mthatha Health Resource Centre at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.
The roundtable provided an opportunity for ex-mine workers, government, and other stakeholders to share experiences, exchange information and report on progress made in processing benefits and compensation for former mine workers in the province.
Meth said the programme remains important and much needed, given the large numbers of ex-mine workers and their families who continue to seek assistance.
“It is a very important programme, much needed by our people. You can see the numbers that come out whenever there is this outreach,” Meth said.
The Minister commended officials and government departments who participated in the outreach, noting that the programme has been elevated through an intensive marathon of outreach activities.
“I appreciate the fact that this one was taken up to another level for the one day of a marathon of outreach. It is not child’s play, and we appreciate the work done by our officials.”
She said the programme has brought together the Office of the Premier, national and provincial Health, Social Development, as well as departmental entities and partners.
Meth highlighted the work being done by the UIF and the Compensation Fund, together with their claims agent, Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA).
The Minister said the department paid claims amounting to R1.4 million on the first day of the outreach, 13 July 2026, with payments since exceeding R40 million to people in need.
“These are people who lost their husbands who worked in the mines, people who got injured, people who got occupational diseases like silicosis and TB [tuberculosis], who are coming here searching for help, and it’s good that they’re finding their money,” the Minister said.
Meth said the fact that payments can be made on the spot has made the outreach particularly valuable to beneficiaries.
She also highlighted partnerships with financial institutions to ensure beneficiaries access their payments.
“We have banks that are here. We have got FNB to help those who do not have bank accounts to open bank accounts.”
Meth also acknowledged the role of African Bank, which took over from New Bank, while New Bank has taken over from Teba Bank, in facilitating access to banking services for beneficiaries.
The Minister said the programme has also benefited from interns who assisted the RMA and reinforced the capacity needed to process claims.
She also commended the Department of Health and other partners for providing services that could not be offered directly by the labour department, including X-rays and other medical services.
The outreach forms part of government’s broader efforts to reach former mine workers and their families, particularly those who may have struggled to access compensation and other benefits due to occupational injuries and diseases. – SAnews.gov.za
