Thousands injured on duty are still suffering

UNFORTUNATELY, Workmen’s Compensation has let down thousands of South Africans who have been injured at work or on duty. Daily I get requests from individuals who have been struggling for years to get even an answer from Workmen’s Compensation.

Admittedly, the new director of Workmen’s Compensation is trying his utmost to correct the ills of the past 20 years and to keep up with the avalanche of claims.

However, in an interesting case, S.R. Knowles v Department of Labour, the judge ruled the Department of Labour had to pay the full amount claimed within a certain period of time.

I sent a copy of this judgment to the Workmen’s Compensation Commissioner, who confirmed they won’t be appealing the judgment and will only add to their ruling.

Well, months have gone by and it appears the Department of Labour has not fulfilled their promise or the judgment. Advocate Elsabe Steyn has written to the Minister of Labour threatening a contempt of court application. Even with this threat from a high ranking legal practitioner, the minister remains silent.

I quote from a letter Advocate

Steyn wrote: “This matter has been going on for close to 6 years and still, after a court order, nothing has been done to right the wrongs that were done by this department.”

This particular case is a sad reflection of what the current dispensation and the Department of Labour do to people who need to be protected.