Domestic workers in South Africa who suffer injury or contract an illness at work now have a practical mechanism to apply for compensation.
This after the Compensation Fund commissioner, Vuyo Mafata gazetted the new term.
What does this mean for domestic workers in South Africa
Gugulethu Mfuphi recently spoke to Mafata on Kaya Biz to shed light on this historic development which is aimed at equalising opportunities for domestic workers.
He spoke about how domestic workers are now recognised like any kind of a worker in South Africa.
“They will now be entitled to all benefits that are paid according to the act. The benefit that is paid is the compensation when there’s a temporary disability which has been caused by an injury as well as permanent disability.
In some instance where permanent disability has occurred, the worker are entitled to a lifetime pension from the compensation fund.”
He also shed light on what the Compensation Fund would pay out in instances where the occupational injury or disease results in a fatality:
“In instances where the occupational injury or disease results in a fatality, the additional benefit that we pay is for funeral expenses, where there where medical expenses that were as a result of the injury, we are then liable to cover the full cost for the injured worker.

The rules follow a landmark Constitutional Court ruling in November 2020, which forced recognition of domestic workers under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).
Employers mandated to register their domestic workers
All employers of domestic workers have been encouraged to register with the Compensation Fund by submitting the following documents to [email protected] or [email protected]:
What you will need to register your domestic worker
- A completed CF-1E Form (Application for the registration of the domestic worker-employer)
- Proof of the employer’s residential address
- A copy of the employment contract
- Copies of the ID documents, passports, or similar form of identification for both employer and employee


