The Mozambican government, through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, in partnership with the South African company Mine Workers Provident Fund (MWPF), launched a campaign to identify and pay the unclaimed social security benefits of 3,087 ex-miners in Maputo on Monday.

In total, there are 285.6 million unclaimed rand belonging to 7,554 former miners whose whereabouts have not yet been ascertained.

According to the Ministry of Labor, the beneficiaries are former Mozambican miners who worked in the coal, gold and platinum mines between 1989 and 2023, who have been retired, terminated their contracts or lost their lives.

"With this campaign, the government and the MWPF intend to identify and pay former miners or their relatives their unclaimed social security benefits," said the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Emídio Mavila, noting that the campaign expires on July 20 and covers the provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane.

However, the source added that in the event of the miner's death, the amount will be paid to his family members as long as they bring with them supporting documents, namely a copy of the identity card or passport, a copy of the miner's worker's card (Makhuluscope), a receipt for the contract with TEBA and a bank account number.

"For deceased miners, their relatives must bring with them the death certificate, a copy of the deceased miner's identity card or passport, a copy of the makhuloscope card, identification documents for the widow and her dependents, a declaration of residence and a bank account number," explained Mavila, adding that the list of beneficiaries is available at the social security offices in Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces.