ATC220323:Report of the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour on the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill [B 21B - 2020], dated 22 March 2022.

NCOP Trade & Industry, Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism, Employment & Labour

Report of the Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour on the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill [B 21B - 2020], dated 22 March 2022.

 

 

The Select Committee on Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Small Business Development, Tourism, Employment and Labour, having considered the subject of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill [B 21B - 2020] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it, reports the Bill with proposed amendments as follows:

 

CLAUSE 39

  1. On page 15, in line 51, after "least" to omit "[30] 60" and to substitute "60".

 

CLAUSE 43

  1. On page 16, in line 52, to omit "2021" and to substitute "2022".

 

CLAUSE 63

  1. On page 24, in line 26, after "Domestic", to omit "workers" and to substitute "employees".
  2. On page 24, in line 28, after “Act,” to omit "2021" and to substitute "2022".

 

CLAUSE 64

  1. On page 24, in line 34, after “Act,”, to omit “2021” and to substitute “2022”.

 

1. Introduction

 

The Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill was referred to the Committee on 9 September 2021. The Committee received a briefing on the Bill from the Department of Employment and Labour on 16 November 2021.

 

2. Purpose of the Bill

 

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993, so as to amend, substitute, insert, delete and repeal certain definitions and sections; to provide for matters pertaining to the Board and its members; to provide for the Commissioner to perform certain functions that were previously performed by the Director-General; to further provide for matters pertaining to rehabilitation, re-integration and return to work for occupationally injured and diseased employees; to regulate the use of health care services; to provide for the Commissioner to review pension claims or awards; to provide for administrative penalties; to regulate compliance and enforcement; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

 

3. Process followed

 

The Committee invited public comment through advertisements in newspapers and on radio. The closing date for written submissions was 22 January 2022. The advertisement was published in all 11 official languages.

 

The Committee received submissions on the Bill from the following stakeholders:

  1. Businesses Unity South Africa
  2. Congress of South African Trade Unions
  3. Injured Workers Action Group
  4. Compsol
  5. COIDLINK.

 

The Committee held public hearings on 22 February 2022, and received responses from the Department of Employment and Labour on 8 March 2022 on the submissions received. On 15 March 2022, the Committee deliberated on the Bill.

 

4. Outcome of Committee’s consideration of the Bill

 

Five members of the African National Congress voted in support of the Bill. Two members of the Democratic Alliance voted against the Bill.

 

5. Conclusion

 

The Committee agreed to the Bill with proposed amendments.

 

 

Report to be considered.