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Declaration 
 
I hereby declare that this research report is my own unaided work, and that I have give 
full acknowledgement to the sources that I used. 
 
 
 
 
_________________________________ 
Thuso  Tlhaole 
 
 
 
_______________________ 
Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii 
 
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. 
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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.  
 
KEY WORDS: 
 
? Social protection  
? Social security 
? Disability 
? Formal Social Protection 
? Informal Social Protection 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Acknowledgements 
 
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who contributed to the 
completion of this research. I am highly indebted to my supervisor Professor Edwell 
Kaseke for his guidance and support throughout the process of writing this study. Your 
mentorship and constructive feedback made this study possible.  
 
I would also like to convey my gratitude to, the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry 
of Labour and Employment, TEBA and National Union of Mineworkers. I also thank all 
research participants who agreed to participant in this study to share their views.  
 
Lastly but not least, I give my earnest thanks to my parents for their continuous support 
and encouragement during difficult times of my study.  
 
God Bless you all. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Acronyms  
 
 
COIDA  Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 
DMA   Disaster Management Authority 
ILO   International Labour Organisation  
IOM   International Organisation for Migration 
NUM   National Union of Mineworkers 
ODMWA  Occupational Diseases in Mine and Works Act 
REBA    Regional Evidence-Building Agenda 
ROSCAs  Rotating Savings and Credit Associations 
SADC   Southern Africa Development Cooperation 
TEBA   The Employment Bureau of Africa 
WFP   World Food Programme 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
Contents                Page 
 
List of Tables              1 
 
Chapter 1: Introduction 
1.1 Introduction             2 
1.2 Background             3 
1.3 Rationale and Problem Statement           5 
1.4 The Aim and Objectives of the Study          6 
   1.4.1 Aim              7 
   1.4.2 Objectives             7 
1.5 Research questions            7 
1.6 Organisation of the Research           8 
 
Chapter 2: Literature Review 
2.1 Introduction             9 
2.2 Theories underpinning Social Protection        10 
   2.2.1 Modernisation Theory         10 
   2.2.3 Basic needs Theory          11 
2.3 Social Protection           12 
2.4 Social Security           14 
2.5 Informal Social Security Systems         16 
2.6 Social Protection for Migrant Workers        19 
2.7 Legislation           22 
2.8 Social Protection in Lesotho         24 
   2.8.1 Formal Social Protection Arrangements       24 
   2.8.2 Informal Social Protection Arrangements       30 
2.9 Conclusion           33
                                         
                      
           
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Chapter 3: Methodology 
3.1 Introduction           35 
3.2 Research Design           35 
3.3 Study Area and Population         36 
   3.3.1 Study Area           36 
   3.3.2 Study Population          36 
3.4 Sampling            37 
3.5 Research Instruments          37 
   3.5.1 Semi-Structured Interviews         37 
   3.5.2 Documents           38 
3.6 Pre-testing research tool          38 
3.7 Methods of Data Collection         39 
3.8 Data Analysis           40 
3.9 Methods of Data Verification         40 
3.10 Ethical Considerations          41 
3.11 Limitations           43 
3.12 Conclusion           43 
 
Chapter 4: Presentation and Discussion of Research Findings 
4.1 Introduction           44 
4.2 Profile of respondents          44 
4.3 Adequate of Compensation         47 
4.4 Access to benefits           53 
4.5 Social Support Systems          57 
4.6 Suggestions for Improving Social Protection       66 
4.7 Conclusion           67 
 
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 
5.1 Introduction           69 
5.2 Summary of findings          69 
5.3 Conclusion           72 
5.4 Recommendations          73 
 
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REFERENCES               75 
 
APPENDICES 
Appendix A: Participant Information Sheet            82 
Appendix B: Consent form for research participants           83 
Appendix C: Consent form for audio-taping the interviews          84 
Appendix C: Semi-Structured Interviews schedules for research retired mineworker    85 
Appendix D: Semi-Structured Interviews schedules for Key Informants         87 
Appendix E: Letter of Permission from TEBA           88 
Appendix F: Letter of Permission from National Union of Mineworkers        89 
Appendix G: Letter of Permission from Department of Social Welfare                          90 
Appendix H: Letter of Permission from Ministry of Labour                                           91 
Appendix I: Ethics Clearance Certificate                  92