Thursday, November 2, 2017

CLAC Hails Bill That Will Better Protect Healthcare Workers

Proposal will extend WSIB coverage to retirement homes and group homes

Toronto—CLAC applauds Ottawa South MPP John Fraser for his continued support to better protect workers in retirement homes and group homes. Fraser introduced a bill in June that would expand mandatory WSIB coverage to retirement homes, group homes, and home-care facilities. The bill will be moved for second reading debate this afternoon.

“Workers deserve to have the comfort of knowing that if they get injured on the job they will be taken care of,” says Hank Beekhuis, CLAC national representative. “WSIB’s higher benefit levels, full income support, and second injury coverage is critical for workers who often work in multiple workplaces—often for less than $20 per hour.”

CLAC represents workers in retirement homes and in home care and has been advocating to have these workplaces added to WSIB for many years. These workplaces are not included in the list of workplaces on Schedule 1 of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.

“Most workers in these important sectors are not covered by the public no-fault system if they suffer an injury while at work,” says Beekhuis. “They’re doing jobs similar to those in sectors covered by WSIB such as long term care. They face numerous health and safety risks in the workplace including risks associated with helping people who may not be in their best mental and physical state.”

CLAC has been involved with many challenging insurance claims that have caused hardship and suffering to those injured and their families. WSIB provides support to get workers back to work, and its coverage provides higher income support, benefits in the event of a second injury, better support for accommodations, and recognition of other income the worker may be missing out on because of an injury in another workplace.

“Healthcare workers in retirement homes are working in high-risk environments,” says Trish Douma, CLAC regional director who spoke at the press conference today with Fraser. “WSIB provides the best suite of benefits to workers hurt while working and helps employers improve workplace conditions to prevent future incidents. Private insurance may work for certain workplaces, but it does not provide adequate support for retirement home workers.”

CLAC Hails Bill That Will Better Protect Healthcare Workers

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