Workmen’s Compensation

Are you aware of what Workmen’s Compensation is and how it works?

As a company it is important that you register with the Workmen’s Compensation Fund in order to insure your workers against occupational disease, injuries and death.

It is important to note that all employers who employ one or more workers need to register with the Workmen’s Compensation Fund and this will need to be done separately for all the different branches within your business, unless you have made arrangements for combined registration.

WHAT TYPE OF EMPLOYEE IS COVERED?

The compensation for Occupational Injuries and Disease Act applies to all employers and casual and full-time workers to who, as a result of a workplace accident or work related disease are injured, disabled or killed or become ill.

This excludes employees who are partially disabled for less than 3 days; domestic workers; anyone receiving military training; members of the South African Police Service or South African National Defence Force; any worker who is guilty of wilful misconduct, unless seriously disabled or killed; anyone who is employed outside of RSA for 12 or more continuous months and workers working mainly outside the RSA and only temporarily employed in the RSA.

HOW DO EMPLOYERS REGISTER FOR WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION FUND?

1. Fill in the As.2 compensation fund form. You can get this form at any labour centre or it is available on their website.

PLEASE NOTE: it is imperative that all questions are completed so as to avoid delaying the process further.

2. Send the form in via post, fax or email and be sure to include the following:

• If you are a company or close corporation; a copy of the registration certificate from the registrar of companies
• If you are a sole proprietor of the business; a copy of your ID

EMPLOYERS CAN SEND THE FORM BY MAILING IT TO: 

PO Box 955
Pretoria
0001

HOW TO PAY THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION FUND? 

Once you are registered you are required to them pay an annual assessment fee based on your workers’ earnings and the risks associated with the type of work being done. Certain employers do not have to pay assessment fees.

Every year in April, the Compensation Fund sends a notice of assessment which stipulates how much you should be paid for the assessment, this assessment is compiled by WFC once a return of earnings has been completed and submitted by you. Fees may increase or decrease according to an employer’s accident costs. Employers with low costs may qualify for assessment fee rebates.

WHEN ARE EMPLOYERS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR RETURN OF EARNINGS? 

The deadline to submit your return of earnings is no later than the 31^st MARCH EACH YEAR! The amount is determined by calculating the amount of earnings paid by an employer to the employees, from the 1^st March of the previous year up to and including the last day of February of the current year.