Social protection arrangements for retired mineworkers with physical disabilities in Maseru urban, Lesotho.
Date
2011-05-30
Authors
Tlhaole, Thuso
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Abstract
Social protection is a means of reducing vulnerability on individuals by protecting them
against low or declining living standards. This study examines social protection
arrangements for mineworkers who retired from the South African mines on account of
disabling mine injuries. Over the years, the mining industry has been the source of
employment for Lesotho men. Some of the workers have been exposed to occupational
injuries that led to their disability and forced retirement. They are thus forced to return to
Lesotho where they become dependent on the compensation that they receive from
South Africa through Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. The
study sought to determine the adequacy of compensation paid to Basotho mineworkers
who retired because of disabling mine injuries in Maseru urban. It also investigated
existence of complementary social support systems. A qualitative design was utilised in
this study as the intention was to obtain in-depth information from the research
participants concerning existing social protection arrangements. Semi-structured
interview schedule were conducted with both mine workers who retired on account of
disabling mine injuries and key informants. The research sample consisted of 47 mine
workers who retired on account of disabling mine injuries and 4 key informants that
were drawn from the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour, TEBA (The
Employment Bureau of Africa) and National Union of Mine workers.
The findings reveal that retired mine workers use most of their compensation income on
household expenditures such as food, electricity and fuel. The compensation income
ranges from M400 to M5, 000 per month. For the research participants who are at the
lower range, the compensation is not adequate because they are below the poverty line.
The findings established that the waiting period for compensation was long because only
three research participants received their compensation after a waiting period of up to 5
months while the majority waited for more than 5 months. The findings also indicate
that the payment of monthly compensation is consistent and paid timely. The results
revealed that retired mine workers rely on alternative coping strategies like income
generating projects and informal support from relatives and friends. The findings also
reveal that the disability status makes it difficult for the beneficiaries to engage in
income generating activities thereby exposing them to poverty and income insecurity.
The study recommends that government support should be extended to retired mine
workers with low compensation income. The study also suggests the introduction of
reintegration programmes that would improve the quality of life for retired mineworkers
with physical disabilities.
Description
Keywords
Social protection, Social security, Disability, Formal social protection, Informal social protection