The Mining, transport, heavy construction, agriculture and fishing industries are bearing the brunt of Aids-related deaths, which triggered a total R2.4 billion in insurance claims this year. The costs pass directly through to the employers in the premiums they pay for group life insurance benefits.
According to the Department of Health, 5.7 million people are infected with HIV and about 1 million receive antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from the state.
