X:COSATUTODAY
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has called on Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth to intervene in the deepening crisis at the Compensation Fund, warning that workers are suffering because of ongoing failures within the institution.
The federation said the Compensation Fund, which is responsible for compensating workers injured, sickened or killed on duty, was struggling with governance failures, corruption allegations, staffing shortages and administrative inefficiencies.
COSATU spokesperson Zanele Sabela said recent findings by the Supreme Court confirmed long-standing concerns raised by workers, unions and employers about the poor state of the Fund.
“The court’s findings confirm what workers, unions, employers and the public have long experienced, the Compensation Fund is in deep distress and failing in its mandate,” said Sabela.
The federation pointed to the Auditor-General’s findings that the Compensation Fund received disclaimer audit opinions for 12 consecutive years due to missing records, poor data management and weak financial controls.
COSATU said the institution had also failed to deal decisively with allegations of fraud and corruption, despite reports suggesting that some employees may be implicated in wrongdoing.
Sabela warned that ongoing vacancies in critical management and technical positions were further weakening the Fund’s ability to operate effectively, resulting in severe delays in processing workers’ claims.
COSATU has now urged Meth to stabilise the institution, implement the recommendations made by the courts and the Auditor-General, and ensure accountability within the Compensation Fund.
“Workers deserve a Compensation Fund that is efficient and capable of compensating workers and their families timeously when they are injured, fall ill or die at work,” added Sabela.
Source: https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/cosatu-urges-immediate-intervention/