The Compensation Fund, an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour, has called on exempted employers within Gauteng Provincial Government Departments to strengthen compliance with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) to safeguard government employees and improve the administration of compensation benefits.
The call was made during the Gauteng Exempted Employers Workshop, held on 07 July 2026, which brought together representatives from various provincial government departments to enhance their understanding of COIDA compliance requirements, claims management processes, employer obligations and best practices in the management of occupational injuries and diseases.
The workshop forms part of the Compensation Fund’s ongoing commitment to promoting compliance, improving occupational injury and disease management, and ensuring that exempted employers fulfil their statutory responsibilities in terms of COIDA.
Addressing delegates, Mr Vusi Maluleke, Deputy Director: Employer Services, emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate employer records, adhering to claims management requirements and strengthening service delivery within government departments.
Mr Maluleke highlighted several challenges currently experienced within the exempted employer environment, including:
Incorrect employer information on record;
- Outdated employer details;
- Long-outstanding debt;
- Unreported claims;
- Fraudulent claims; and
- Insufficient supporting documentation for submitted claims.
He urged departments to address these shortcomings to improve compliance and ensure the efficient processing of claims.
Mr Thamisanqa Khanyile, Deputy Director: Compensation Benefits, provided delegates with an overview of employer responsibilities and employee rights under COIDA. His presentation focused on the management of occupational injuries and diseases, as well as the compensation benefits available to employees who sustain work-related injuries or contract occupational diseases.
Mr Khanyile further encouraged departments to ensure that complete and accurate information is submitted when lodging claims.
“The submission of incorrect or incomplete information often results in claims being repudiated during the adjudication process, causing unnecessary delays and placing additional hardship on injured employees who rely on these benefits,” he said.
Closing the workshop, Mr Patrick Mphaya of the Gauteng Department of e-Government expressed appreciation to the Compensation Fund for continuously engaging provincial departments and sharing developments relating to the COID Act.
He noted that the workshop provided valuable insights that would contribute to improved service delivery and strengthen the Gauteng Provincial Government’s ability to serve employees and stakeholders more effectively.
The Compensation Fund reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with exempted employers to strengthen COIDA compliance, improve claims administration and ensure that employees receive the protection and benefits to which they are entitled.
The next Exempted Employers Workshop will be held in Mpumalanga on 14 July 2026.
For media inquiries, please contact: Teboho Thejane, Departmental Spokesperson on 082 697 0694 | teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za
