The Compensation Fund, Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA), and The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (RF) Proprietary Limited have together contributed R1,35 billion towards funding vaccination costs for uninsured workers and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COID) for pensioners who qualify for the COVID-19 vaccination.
“As a collective, we have heeded the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa for organisations to help finance and facilitate the roll-out of vaccines in South Africa and beyond. Through this contribution, we hope to assist at least 3 million of the estimated 10 million uninsured workers to gain access to the vaccine,” says Vuyo Mafata, Commissioner of the Compensation Fund.
Scientists have projected that at least 40 million people need to be vaccinated in South Africa to ensure that the population has the immunity it needs to fight the COVID-19 virus.
“The core of who we are as RMA is a business with strong ties to Government, owned largely by employers & labour organizations, and for the benefit of workers; this partnership was obvious to us. Through the funding, we are highlighting the importance of public private partnerships and demonstrating the tangible social impact that can be achieved,” adds Mandla Shezi CEO of RMA.
FEM’s CEO, Ndivhuwo Manyonga, says over the past year, the company, together with the Compensation Fund and RMA, have taken up responsibility for the cost of medical treatment and the replacement of lost income as a result of the temporary or permanent disablement caused by COVID-19 acquired in the workplace.
Over the same period, out of a total of 20 945 COVID-19 claims, the companies have accepted 12 523. Their aim is to continue to compensate workers for the disablement and/ or loss of income caused by the pandemic.
The Compensation Fund, Rand Mutual Assurance and The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (RF) Proprietary Limited (FEM) urge all businesses to continue to contribute towards the roll-out of vaccines in South Africa and play their part in getting the country and the economy back on track.