The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has initiated a class-action lawsuit against the global mining company South32.
The suit represents current and former miners who, after contracting incurable lung diseases, sought help from the Church. The lawsuit, filed by the conference’s Commission for Justice and Peace, alleges that South32 failed to provide proper training, equipment, and a safe working environment to its employees. It also claims the company neglected to establish legally required procedures and safeguards.
The bishops are seeking compensation for the affected workers, as ex-employees no longer have the support of the unions they were part of during their employment, leaving them without recourse for social justice in the face of the illnesses they developed while working in the mines.
Cardinal-elect Stephen Brislin has emphasized the importance of providing legal recourse to workers who often lack the means to seek justice against large corporations. He explained that the Church's involvement is motivated by a commitment to upholding the rights of vulnerable individuals. Brislin acknowledged that while many companies are open to settling such cases, there are instances where legal action is necessary.
The class-action lawsuit highlights the health risks associated with coal mining, including lung diseases like pneumoconiosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
These diseases are preventable, but the application alleges that miners contracted them due to inadequate safety measures and protections. The lawsuit seeks compensation for affected miners and their dependents, covering actions from March 12, 1965, to the present.
South32, a multinational metal mining company operating in multiple countries, is the defendant in this case. The South African mining industry, where South32 operates three facilities, employs approximately half a million people and contributes significantly to the country's GDP.
One named individual in the application, Jan Nkosi, who worked in a mine from 1981 to 2016, described his constant chest pain and the challenges he faces due to his lung disease, emphasizing the need for justice for affected miners.
A spokesperson for South32 has confirmed that the company has received the application for certification of a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of mine workers in South Africa.
South32, which owned and operated South Africa Energy Coal from 2015 to 2021, is currently reviewing the matter and has refrained from providing further comments at this stage.
In their statement, the bishops invoked Catholic social teachings, specifically referring to Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical on capital and labor, Rerum Novarum. They emphasized the Church's historical proximity to the plight of unskilled and vulnerable workers, particularly during periods of uncontrolled industrialization.
The bishops underscored that their support for coal mine workers aligns with the Church's commitment to defending the dignity of work as a fundamental aspect of God's creation.