Mozambique: CDD accuses government of not paying pensions to former miners who worked in South Africa – DW

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Mozambique: CDD accuses government of not paying pensions to former miners who worked in South Africa – DW

3:37 CAT | 05 Oct 2022

FILE - For illustration purposes only . [File photo: DW]

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has accused the Mozambican government of not paying pensions due to former Mozambican miners who worked in South Africa.

A CDD statement claims that among those affected are miners in the village of Ressano Garcia, Maputo province, who have worked in South Africa for more than three decades.

“These payments have not been made for more than ten years, putting them [the former miners] in a situation of unparalleled poverty and suffering,” the CDD note reads.

The government, the CDD says, is “evading” its obligations and violating the Constitution and social security legislation, as the former miners have made contributions as per the regulations.

Serious problems in the community

Funeral allowances to which former miners are entitled are not being paid either.

Statutory amounts “must be paid within 24 hours after the communication of the ex-miner’s death, the amount estimated at SAR39,000 [around 139.898.meticais or €2,225],” reads the CDD communique.

“This situation is creating serious problems in Ressano Garcia, as the children of former miners are marginalised and, although many have successfully completed secondary education, they have no opportunity to complete their studies,” the CDD says.

Parents’ inability to pay for studies creates a context in which drug and alcohol abuse flourishes, the CDD maintains.

The NGO notes that the government has closed an office to assist miners in Ressano Garcia, further dampening expectations of a quick resolution to the problems plaguing the former expat workers.

“Contempt and lack of consideration”

“Such behaviour by the senior leaders of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security reveals contempt and lack of consideration for the former miners,” the CDD comments.

The CDD notes that Ministry of Labour and Social Security officials met the former miners in Ressano Garcia in August, 2021, but to no effect. Minister Margaria Talapa has yet to meet the group in person, despite repeated requests.

The Mozambican Ministry of Labour and Social Security failed to respond to repeated questions from Lusa about the CDD’s accusations.

Former miners who worked for more than 30 years in South Africa are being wronged by the Government and the recruitment agency TEBA

Read more:https://t.co/NWBalxv8xn pic.twitter.com/O2sHbvLGJM

— CDD – Centro para Democracia e Desenvolvimento (@CDD_Moz) September 26, 2022