COMPENSATION FUND TAKES ITS AGRICULTRAL ENGAGEMENTS TO THE NORTHERN CAPE

On the 21 st and 22 nd August 2026, the Department of Employment and Labour’s Compensation Fund will host a two (2) day workshop in Prieska on Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Disease Act (COIDA) compliance with stakeholders in the Agricultural sector.

These will be the second workshops to be held by the Fund during the 2026/2027 financial year, the first workshops were held in Thohoyandou, Limpopo province in July 2026 respectively.

These workshops are aimed at improving COIDA compliance in this sector for both Farm Employers and Employees.

In terms of the 2025 Return of Earnings (ROE) submissions statistics, the Northern Cape province has a total of 3362 registered Farm Employers with a total of only 1226 compliant Employers, resulting in 36,33% compliance rate and 63,67% non-compliant.

In the Prieska area, where the engagements will be taking place, out of the total of 3362 registered employers in the province, only 86 are from Prieska with 34 employers being compliant resulting in 39.53% compliance rate. This compliance rate is low and thus the need for these engagements to increase the levels of COID compliance.

On Day 1, Farm Employers will be afforded an opportunity to engage with the Fund regarding their challenges and to find amicable solutions together.

On Day 2, as vulnerable employees, Farm Employees will be engaged and educated about their rights and obligations, as they are highly exposed to workplace injuries due to the nature of their work environment.

The sessions will cover amongst others, reporting Injury on Duty (IOD) within stipulated timeframes, compensation payments, Temporary Total Disablement (TTD), Permanent Disablement (including fatal claims), Pensions, Medical Payments, Funeral Cover and Rehabilitation Programmes.

AgriCulture South Africa (AgriSA) Northern Cape, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Cape, Department of Land Reform and Rural Development and National African Farmers Union (NAFU) are expected to attend the workshop and deliver the messages of support.

The Compensation Fund is committed to working together with the Agricultural sector to ensure COIDA compliance.

A Help desk will be available to help with any COID related matters.

Details of the workshops are as follows and members of the media are invited:

Farm Employers Workshop

Date: Friday, 21 August 2026

Time: 09h00 – 13h00

Venue: Omega Hall, Prieska, Northern Cape Province.

Farm Employees Workshop

Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026

Time: 09h00 – 16h00

Venue: Omega Hall, Prieska, Northern Cape Province.

For RSVP, please contact: Hlonitshwa Mpaka at 072 670 5464/ Hlonitshwa.mpaka@labour.gov.za

For media inquiries, please contact: Teboho Thejane, Departmental Spokesperson: 082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za