The TSHIAMISO Trust, which was set up to offer reparations to previous mining employees afflicted with chronic lung conditions like silicosis, plans to initiate its operations in Zimbabwe to support former Wenela claimants.
Last year, the trust initiated the step of collaborating with a nearby service provider to collect the necessary data, which will facilitate the compensation procedure.
It also handles compensation for all qualifying present and past mineworkers throughout southern Africa who have developed permanent impairments from silicosis or job-related tuberculosis, as well as for their beneficiaries if the miner has deceased.
At least 4,000 miners who were employed through the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) stand to gain from this.
Lusanda Jiya, the stakeholder relations and communications executive for Tshiamiso Trust, stated that they have identified service providers to assist with the process.
We are delighted to share that Baines Occupational Health Services has been successfully certified by us to handle the submission of claims and conduct Beneficial Medical Examinations for claimants associated with the Tshiamiso Trust.
"The services will be accessible at their locations in Harare, Bulawayo, and Gweru, but only by prior arrangement," she stated.
Ms Jiya said Zimbabwe has long been a focal point for their compensation efforts.
"After consultations with the government, the Trust initiated the step of collaborating with a service provider. This collaboration is vital for the claims procedure, guaranteeing that former Wenela miners and their dependents can receive assistance from the Trust through an efficient claims process and obtaining necessary medical evaluations," she stated.
Thorough training and orientation sessions were subsequently conducted, culminating in live tests set for December 2024. We continue to be dedicated to rolling out our offerings in Zimbabwe at the earliest opportunity.
She added that they were working closely with the ex-miner association in Zimbabwe.
"The Tshiamiso Trust was established to give effect to the settlement agreement reached between six mining companies and claimant attorneys in the historic silicosis and TB class action. The companies are African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater and Gold Fields," said Ms Jiya.
The Wenela workers consisted of Southern African migrant laborers who labored in South Africa between the late 1800s and mid-1900s. These individuals were enlisted through the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association and came primarily from nations including Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe was a major contributor to South African labour. Most of the migrants worked underground in gold mines.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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