Inflation, Race, and Legislation—The Erosion in the Real Value of Monetary Compensation for Miners' Occupational Lung Disease in South Africa, 1973–2024

Abstract

Although formal Apartheid racial discrimination ended in 1994, inflation, and until recently legislative stasis, continued to disadvantage all miners with compensatable occupational lung disease. The system is currently undergoing legislative reform-including proper funding of operations but also with limitation on civil liability against employers. The question therefore remains open as to whether a fair and equitable system of compensation for miners will be achieved and sustained.