The Botswana Labour Migrants Association (BOLAMA) has recently hosted a two-day workshop to close the information gap with ex-mineworker communities. It was emphasized that it was important for communities to be sensitised through all media platforms on how they can access their claims. There was representation from the Ministry of Health and Wellness which has a department dealing with TB in the mining sector under the Global Fund Project, Compensation Commissioner of Botswana and South Africa, Local Government, Ministry of Labour from Lesotho and Swaziland, Kgosi Kgolo ya Balete Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, Rand Mutual Assurance, and the Employment Bureau of Africa among the many organisations represented. BOLAMA Coordinator Kitso Phiri highlighted the importance of keeping a database to capture all current and ex-mine workers. The data capture is expected to take one to two years whereby consulate offices in South Africa would be furnished with the information once the database is completed. “The National committee, which includes all stakeholders, should be set up to look at issues for ex-mineworkers and bilateral cooperation issues between South Africa and SADC states regarding ex-mineworkers so that their matters can be handled diligently,” he said. Kabelo Zwinila from the Ministry of Health and Wellness…
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