The Unclaimed Benefits Campaign (UBC) members in the Vaal are calling on all former mine workers, steel workers, metal workers etc to come out and claim their monies.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster UBC Sedibeng Region’s Chairperson, Michael Thekiso and Regional Treasure, Bishop Johannes Moloi said that all the members, widows, children and former employees of these companies need to come out so that they can be documented and claim what is rightfully theirs.
The UBC was formed in March 2017 as an informal network of individuals and groups of workers who have been trying to access their pension and provident funds.
The unclaimed benefits are said to be benefits due to a former employee that arose as a result of fund members not knowing that they are entitled to a benefit, or as a result of the fund being unable to pay the benefit where members were migrants who returned to their home countries/provinces as soon as they stopped working for their employees.
It is said that there are probably more billions in unclaimed social security benefits held by the Road Accident Fund, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, and the Mineworkers Compensation Fund.
There is also probably billions more in unclaimed bank deposits, unclaimed proceeds from investments in collective investment schemes (stokvels), insurance policies and the likes.
“We are working with the FSC, MIBFA, Old Mutual, Sanlam, Alexander Forbes and many others in making sure that our people get what rightfully belong to them. This is their money that they worked hard for, blood, sweat and tears.”
It is said that to this day, many people who are employed and are members of a pension or provident fund do not know the name of the fund or the name of the fund administrators.
“We are calling on all the people that know or think that they are owed provident funds, pension funds and surpluses to please come out so that we can work together and show them the way.”
The duo said that difficulty in tracing members is caused by the unavailability of member data such as recent contact details and identities of family members. “At the moment we have our meetings in Sharpeville and Sebokeng, but people all over the region are encouraged to come out and contact us for further information.”
For more information about UBC Sedibeng call UBC Sedibeng Region’s Regional Treasure, Bishop Johannes Moloi and Chairperson, Michael Thekiso on 0835368548/0840812206 or 083 466 1046.