Cape Town – The SA Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (Sadsawu) says it hopes the Compensation Fund’s system shutdown until the end of the month is just a “once off”.
This as domestic workers were only just included into the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida), meaning they have a right to compensation in the event they are injured or contract diseases while on duty.
The Injured Workers’ Action Group (IWAG) recently expressed concern over the Fund’s shut down, saying there was no explanation given as to why it has happened.
Sadsawu general-secretary Myrtle Witbooi said fortunately they have not received any complaints yet.
“There is a clause that says all cases should be registered by November 19, 2021. At this stage we appreciate that domestic workers are included (for the Fund) but I don't really think this shutdown will really affect us yet.
“We sincerely hope this is just a once off,” she said.
According to IWAG, workers, employers and medical service providers are currently battling to access Fund’s systems.
“The new system is highly problematic and is exacerbating delays in the registration and adjudication of claims, and payouts.
’’The failure of the fund’s new system is such that, in a recent IWAG survey of employers, only 31% were able to successfully report an IOD incident,” they said.
Compensation Fund spokesperson Musa Zondi could not, by deadline yesterday, answer further enquiries over effects of the shutdown.
Cape Times