The Botswana Labour Migrants Workers Association (BOLAMA) has commended Tshiamiso Trust for expediting the compensation process for former Botswana mineworkers who suffered permanent lung damage from silicosis and tuberculosis while working in South African gold mines.
This week, Tshiamiso Trust announced that a total of 231 claims from Batswana mineworkers—amounting to P18.4 million—have been paid since the Benefit Medical Examination (BME) process began last year. The BME is a critical step in determining whether ex-miners were exposed to permanent lung disease, making them eligible for compensation.
Tshiamiso Trust spokesperson Lusanda Jiya encouraged former mineworkers to submit their claims through TEBA offices in Molepolole and Palapye, highlighting that while 3,280 claims have been lodged, only 231 of the 581 miners examined so far have received compensation.
BOLAMA Calls for Expanded Services in Rural Areas
BOLAMA Secretary-General Tshepo Sebetlela praised Tshiamiso Trust for its efforts in processing claims but urged the organization to extend its services to rural communities. He noted that the current arrangement primarily benefits urban residents in places like Kanye, Molepolole, Gaborone, and Palapye, while many ex-miners in remote areas struggle to access these services.
“There are elderly and ailing former mineworkers in areas such as Shakawe, Maun, Gantsi, Kgalagadi, and the Northeast who are forced to travel over 1,000 kilometers to urban centers for medical examinations and lodging claims,” Sebetlela emphasized. He called for mobile outreach programs to ensure that all eligible former mineworkers can access their rightful compensation without enduring long and costly journeys.
Compensation Program to Run Until 2031
The compensation initiative, which will continue until 2031, benefits former miners who worked in 82 mines owned by African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American South Africa, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye Stillwater, and Gold Fields.
As efforts to process claims continue, stakeholders are urging Tshiamiso Trust to improve accessibility for all affected ex-mineworkers, ensuring that no eligible individual is left behind due to geographical constraints.