‘Mainly women’ claiming compensation

WOMEN, particularly nurses, seem to be bearing the biggest brunt of contracting Covid-19 at work.

This is according to a trend report from the Compensation Fund which said the province had the highest number of claimants.

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said: “We are aware that our front-line workers, like nurses and other medical staff, have been affected by the pandemic. Our figures show that most affected employees are nurses who are paying the ultimate price so that we get a second chance and survive the pandemic.

“We would like to send the appeal for employers to ensure that workers are adequately protected and are given the necessary protective gear to do their jobs.”

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said: “Staff safety is our key priority. It is understandable that women will make the majority of Covid-19-related claims because as a profession nursing has more women than men.”

ANC spokesperson on community safety Mesuli Kama said: “The nursing profession is greatly saturated by women, and nurses have been our front-line heroines in the fight against Covid-19, prepared to lose their own lives to save lives. South Africa and the world need to change attitude and appreciate women more, whether in the workplace or at home.”

Department of Employment and Labour spokesperson Teboho Thejane said: “The Compensation Fund has received a total of 941 claims to date, with the highest number coming from the Western Cape that has recorded 657 claims. Of that total 533 are women.

“According to the claims lodged with the Compensation Fund, more than 80% of the cases received so far involve women, and this is consistent in all provinces. The fund has accepted liability for 356, repudiated 69, and 233 are pending adjudication.

“Other claims have been received through Rand Mutual, which has recorded 474 claims, while Federated Employers has 20 claims. This means that in total 1 435 claims have been received.”