Stop the interference of bureaucrats

Dear Commissioner,

NEASA is disappointed at the blatant back-door legislation attempted to be forced through by the Department of Employment and Labour and the Compensation Fund.

This implementation of detrimental rules cannot be left unchallenged.

After publication of the first draft bill on the amendment of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, NEASA and other role players vehemently opposed the “prohibition of cessions” as introduced by section 43(4) of the bill.

We were relieved when the portfolio committee on employment and labour removed section 43(4) of the COID Amendment Bill, which sought to prohibit medical service providers (MSPS) from ceding their claims for payment by the Compensation Fund to financial institutions.

But since the Compensation Fund will no longer accept banking details and nominated bank accounts of agents and other representatives, other than MSPS or healthcare organisations, these rules amount to the prohibition of cessions.

Clearly, the rules are in direct contradiction to the COID Amendment Bill.

Bureaucrats at the fund, after being overruled by parliament, simply implemented their original wish of prohibiting cessions by virtue of these rules.

NEASA wishes to express its utmost disdain at the manner in which parliament’s decision was overruled by bureaucrats.

We therefore call on commissioner Vuyo Mafata to withdraw these rules.

G C Papenfus

National Employers Association of South Africa CEO