UDM: Billions paid but many former miners still excluded from compensation

The United Democratic Movement (UDM)R2.7 billion to former mineworkers and their dependants.

Trust payouts and the eligible period

The Tshiamiso Trust manages claims for workers who contracted occupational lung diseases while working in gold mines. The trust handles claims for illnesses contracted between 12 March 1965 and 10 December 2019.

UDM calls for wider access

The UDM urged mining houses to increase efforts to identify and help beneficiaries who remain unable to access the money due to them. The party said many claims have not been finalised and raised concern that the process could exclude vulnerable former mineworkers and dependants.

“No worker or community must again be forced to sacrifice their health in silence.”

The quotation was attributed to Bulelani Bobotyane, the UDM secretary-general. The party warned that technical, slow or inaccessible processes could prevent claimants from receiving compensation where they lack documents, medical records, death certificates or the resources to navigate the system.

Issues the UDM highlighted

• Many claims remain unfinished.
• Some former mineworkers and dependants cannot access funds because they lack necessary documents or resources.
• The UDM called on mining companies to intensify efforts to reach excluded beneficiaries.

What the report states

The information in this article is based on the Tshiamiso Trust’s announcement of payments and statements from the UDM reported by the source.