Fraudulent Review of Workers' CompensationThe Alberta government on August 14, closed the window for submissions to its Workers' Compensation Legislative Review 2020, which began on July 10. The government carried out the entire exercise like a thief in the night. On July 10 the Ministry of Labour and Immigration posted a "written submission guide" for the review with a 30-day timeline for submissions, without either a press release or a public announcement.
The review states that an extensive review of the Workers' Compensation Act and system took place in 2016 and 2017, and substantial changes were made to the Act and system in 2018, implementing many of the recommendations of the review panel. The guide then states, "Since implementation, several stakeholders have raised concerns about the affordability, sustainability, and administrative burden of the new system." Buzz-words of the anti-social offensive such as "stakeholders," "sustainable," "reducing administrative burden" and "cutting red tape" are used to cover up the aim of making changes to the compensation system that experience has shown are totally unsustainable as concerns the health and safety of the population and the natural environment. The workers' compensation system was a "historic compromise" in which workers gave up the right to sue their employer if they were injured or became ill in the course of their work in return for being looked after when they were injured. Under the system, workers cannot sue their employers, yet many injured workers are pushed to the margins of society and forced to fend for themselves. They often have to rely on social assistance or Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). This violates the rights of workers and permits employers to evade and deny their responsibilities. The
online survey presented 19 topics that respondents were asked to
discuss and give opinions. From the topics provided for discussion, the
United Conservative Party is clearly responding exclusively to
complaints and demands of "stakeholders" -- i.e. narrow private
interests, to reduce benefits and reduce or eliminate the
responsibility of employers for injuries to workers and unhealthy
working conditions. The problems of small employers which could be
provided with solutions are mixed up with the refusal of the
conglomerates to take up their social responsibilities. The pandemic has brought to light the urgency to meet the demands of injured workers for a workers' compensation system that provides every worker who is injured or becomes sick as a result of their work, full coverage for the entire time they are unable to work. Alberta experienced the largest outbreak of COVID-19 in workplaces in all Canada. At Cargill alone, 981 workers tested positive with more than 1,500 cases linked to the plant. It is said that this was the largest outbreak in any plant in North America but in fact reporting from the U.S. meat packing and other plants is yet to be properly rendered.
The reopening of Alberta schools has also shone a light on the fact that Alberta teachers are not covered by workers' compensation. Moreover, the situation for substitute teachers is extremely precarious, as they not only have no Workers' Compensation coverage, but no paid sick leave or disability benefits.This is a situation that must be addressed and remedied without delay. The review that the Alberta government conducted for the benefit of the global oligarchs who want to have free rein to trample on the rights of workers to healthy and safe working conditions is clearly designed to make sure the workers cannot act as an organized force to defend their rights and the rights of all. It has nothing to do with a discussion on what is needed to protect human beings and their society. The foregone conclusions that the government's questions and methods prompt will not make the government legislative agenda legitimate. The process does not confer the consent of the governed. It must not pass! Workers have rights as the producers of all wealth, and the only legitimate objective of a review of the workers' compensation system would be to ensure that the rights of workers are upheld. The aim must be workers' compensation for injury and suffering work-related health problems, not employers' compensation.
This article was published in Article Link:   Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca |
The review
document states, "The [Workers' Compensation
System] must remain sustainable, affordable, and fair in order to
benefit workers and employer, both now and in the future."
Health
care workers and workers in food production and
processing have been and are at much greater risk of contracting
COVID-19 than the general population. Many problems facing workers with
compensation claims have been in need of correction for a long time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed even more -- as shown by the
situation in health care and food processing -- the pressing need for
pro-social reform.