Identity Theft Kit for Businesses

HRinfodesk---Canadian Payroll and Employment Law, February 2005

The Workers Compensation Act Review Report was given to the Manitoba government on February 3, 2005 and is based on public consultations on the Act by the legislative review committee. The report provides 100 recommendations on modernizing and updating the Workers Compensation Act to reflect the changing nature of work and workplace injuries and illnesses. The recommendations will ensure that the Workers’ compensation system continues to meet the needs of injured workers, their families and employers. Among the key recommended changes:

Workers would be insured for 90 percent of their net income, regardless of how much they earn. Currently, the WCB insures workers for 90 percent of their estimated net income up to their first $58,260 of gross earnings; anything earned above that amount is not insured.

A rule that reduces insurance coverage to 80 percent of estimated net earnings after two years would be removed.

No injured worker relying solely on workers compensation would receive less than minimum wage.

The enforcement costs of the labour department's workplace health and safety division would no longer be paid from WCB revenues. It's long been a complaint of employers that their premiums pay provincial officials to police and fine them for workplace infractions.

The province will undertake a largely voluntary expansion of the workplaces covered by workers compensation especially in occupations identified as high-risk. Currently about 70 percent of Manitoba workers are covered.

Charities and non-profit agencies would be able to purchase workers compensation insurance for their volunteers.

Coverage will be extended to students in work placement and increasing grants for funerals for those who die on the job.

The four-member committee, chaired by Wally Fox-Decent, accepted written submissions and held public meetings throughout the province in the spring and summer of 2004.

Manitobans now have an opportunity to review and comment on the report of The Workers Compensation Act Review Committee. The input received through this additional consultation process will assist government in determining legislative changes to be introduced and policy changes to be implemented. Submissions will be accepted by March 3, 2005 at: Workers Compensation Review Committee Report Consultation, P.O. Box 1770, Station Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2Z9 or fax 204-954-4995.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here, or visit the WCB Act Review website.

By Yosie Saint-Cyr, Editor at HRinfodesk

Published on HRinfodesk---Canadian Payroll and Employment Law

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