LISTEN | Domestic workers seek faster implementation of workplace protections

If you employ a domestic worker, you are required by law to contribute to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) fund or risk being held liable if they are injured or fall ill at work. There are concerns that many domestic workers still struggle to report workplace injuries, despite being brought under the law in 2023. Employees can claim from the fund if they are injured or fall ill while on duty.

On the other hand, employers may face penalties if they fail to report workplace accidents on time or do not provide requested information to the fund. They can also face hefty penalties if they don’t pay the first three months of temporary disability, make unlawful deductions or fail to keep proper records for five years. On Saturday, a union representing domestic workers plans to march to protest against the slow implementation of these protections.

Gloria Kente, secretary-general of the SA Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (Sadsawu), said they were still struggling with the implementation of the Coida fund. “We’re pushing the department of [employment and] labour to do the inspections to make sure employers are paying into the Coida fund so that when the workers get injured, they can claim the money,” she said. “We’ve been fighting this for a long time. That is why we are marching over the weekend because we’re not being heard.” We’re pushing the department of labour to do the inspections to make sure employers are paying into the Coida fund so that when the workers get injured, they can claim the money Kente said they will be visiting labour department offices in Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg to hand over their memorandum regarding the matter.