Injured Workers Before Santa Gifts For Employers

"Even Scrooge would cringe at the demand that employers get a Santa gift of reduced ACC levies ahead of meeting the cost of medical treatment for workers injured in work accidents," Council of Trade Unions president Ross
Wilson said today. Employers and Manufacturers Association CEO Paul Winter complained today that the current ACC employer levies are being maintained to fund full
payment of medical treatment of work injuries rather than provide a
Christmas gift of reduced levies to employers.

"Sadly this is an example of employers never being satisfied," Ross Wilson said.

"They already have the cheapest accident insurance levies in the world for the cover and entitlements provided yet they still demand further cuts.

Ross Wilson said employers knew full well that New Zealand was in serious breach of the international law requirements under ILO conventions which
require payment in full for the treatment of workers who are injured at
work.

"It is time the EMA took a look at the escalating private insurance premiums which employers in other countries, including Australia, are facing," he said.

"It's a disgrace that Mr Winter can seriously suggest that workers should
pay for the cost of their own treatment of injuries suffered in workplace
accidents," Ross Wilson said.