On 7 March 2024, SERI participated in a Dialogue on the Rights of Domestic Workers in terms of the amendments made to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993 (COIDA). The dialogue was hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), in collaboration with the Women Legal Centre (WLC). SERI's Asenati Tukela, Qobo Ningiza, Yongeza Mbimbi participated in the dialogue on behalf of SERI.
The dialogue was facilitated by Chriscy Blouws of the WLC, who also opened the event with introductory remarks that provided the background of the domestic work sector in South Africa. SERI’s attorney, Asenati Tukela shared the background of the Mahlangu case and provided an overview of the developments in the law regarding domestic workers and their protections in the workplace, in particular, the COIDA amendments and the implications of the litigation. Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance's Maggie Mthombeni and Pinky Mashiane from United Domestic Workers of South Africa (UDWOSA) were also in attendance and they shared their insights on the working conditions of domestic workers in South Africa and the continued human rights violations that they face in the workplace.
Harry Maphologela and Vusi Zwane from the Compensation Fund also participated in the dialogue. They provided an overview of what the COIDA claims process entails and gave guidance on available reporting and accountability avenues should the claims process fail either domestic workers or their employers. The roundtable ended with an undertaking by the participants to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to advance the interests of domestic workers.