PRESSURE MOUNTS OVER WORKCOVER'S DODGY LEVY CUT

20 May 2010

A full page advertisement by the South Australian union movement is calling for the state government to fix the unfair WorkCover levy decision.
..>> advertisement

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says the advertisement has been supported by 23 South Australian unions who are solidly determined to see fairness and balance restored to the workers compensation system.

The move is a direct response to Business SA's unashamed gloating over WorkCover levy cuts at the expense of injured workers.

"It's clear that to business, it's all about money.  But to us, it's about lives", Ms Giles says.

"We're exposing the unfairness of the WorkCover decision to hand business a financial windfall in simple language that everyone can understand.  The clear fact is that cutting the levy means cutting WorkCover's income - even though the scheme can't cover its liabilities.  Less money for WorkCover means less for injured workers."

"The WorkCover pendulum has swung too far in favour of business at the expense of innocent injured workers."

"The state government has the opportunity to show real leadership by implementing the policy commitment to reinstate fairness to WorkCover made at the last ALP state convention and bringing the pendulum back to achieve balance between the profit demands of business and the need of injured workers."

"We're calling on the government to tell the WorkCover Board to stop cuts to levies until injured workers' rights are restored.  We also want the Premier to ensure that injured workers whose claims are in dispute aren't financially penalised and that they receive full weekly compensation payments while the dispute is resolved."

"This is an issue that goes to the heart of what unions are about - protecting workers, their rights and their lives.  We won't stop until balance is restored and fairness is achieved", Ms Giles says.