Lower benefits for workers compensation

by Kerri Carr

Corporations are joining the federal workers compensation scheme, Comcare, which has lower protections and benefits for workers than under NSW workers compensation and occupational health and safety laws.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union NSW Secretary Andrew Ferguson said the move by big businesses to the lower standards of the Comcare scheme was the latest attack on the rights of working Australians.

"The move to Comcare allows big corporations from banking to the building industry to cut workers compensation payouts and escape NSW OH&S laws," he said.

"Generally, employees from these companies will no longer receive workers compensation when injured travelling to or from work or during rest breaks, and if they are killed at work the death benefit paid to their dependant spouse will be cut from $325,400 under NSW law to $212,026.74."

On the first sitting day of the new State Parliament, May 8, a CFMEU protest highlighted a move by several major builders to abandon the protections and benefits for workers under NSW workers compensation and occupational health and safety laws.

The CFMEU is demanding action to maintain standards on NSW government projects.

In November 2006 NSW Industrial Relations Minister John Della Bosca announced a pilot project on some government contracts where contractors would be required to supply information to the NSW Department of Commerce to show they met wages and conditions equivalent to those set by state awards and relevant legislation when performing work under a NSW government contract.

"The State Government won the last election with a promise to defend the rights of working people from Canberra, which is why they have a duty to ensure protections for workers are not lost on future NSW Government projects such as the $2 billion dollar desalination plant," Mr Ferguson said.

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Last Modified: 24 May 2007