Fundamental changes proposed in amendments to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) include the extension of coverage to domestic workers. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill calls for the change to the definition of “employee” to end the exclusion of domestic employees.
This is the first major overhaul of an Act which was passed in September 1993, and last amended in 1997.
“One aspect that needed correction was the exclusion of domestic employees from COIDA,” said Harry Maphologela, senior legal officer at the Department of Employment and Labour, who was on the team that worked on the bill. He told GroundUp during an interview that government officials had completely overhauled COIDA.
