WORKCOVER LEVY SCANDAL

29 March 2010

SA Unions is demanding the state government intervene to protect injured workers' compensation entitlements from being gouged by employers.

The WorkCover Board has decided to reduce the employer levy contribution to the fund.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says it effectively means injured workers will pay for a financial benefit windfall for employers.

"this is a scandalous decision by a Board which is clearly willing to compromise the welfare of injured workers for the financial benefit of business."

"Cutting the levy reduces the income going into the WorkCover fund.  Less income means less compensation for injured workers", Ms Giles says.

"This decision takes money from injured workers and puts it into bosses' pockets."

"We condemn the Board for this decision and call on the state government to reject this proposal outright."

"Specifically, we call on the ALP to implement its WorkCover policy commitment made at its last State Convention, to reinstate fairness into the scheme."

"Failure to do so, particularly given the powerful message from voters during the state election, would mean that the government has already broken its promise to listen to the electorate", Ms Giles says.