Workers Compensation Board Welcomes New Employers and Workers

(WINNIPEG) Today the Government of Manitoba announced an extension of workers compensation coverage that added about 7,500 more employers and about 30,000 more workers throughout the province to the workers compensation system effective January 1, 2009.

With this extension of coverage, Manitoba will no longer have the lowest level of covered workforce among Canadian jurisdictions.

“The WCB is ready to add new workers and employers to the compensation system,” says Workers Compensation Board (WCB) President and CEO Doug Sexsmith. “We are making preparations to ensure that every covered employer and injured worker receives the same high level of service that we currently provide.”

WCB coverage provides advantages for both Manitoba workers and employers. Injured workers receive a full range of benefits such as wage replacement, healthcare treatments and rehabilitation services while employers receive protection against lawsuits from workers injured on the job.

The decision to extend coverage was made after the WCB conducted a widespread consultation with stakeholders and forwarded a report to Government summarizing submissions made during the consultation period.

“This broadened base of coverage strengthens the workers compensation system. We’re now providing a more level playing field for employers and greater continuity of coverage for workers,” says WCB Chairperson Tom Farrell. “More covered employers and workers mean more people working with us to reduce injury and illness in the workplace. Today the WCB moved one step closer toward achieving our vision of SAFE Work being a way of life.”

The WCB will soon contact employers in newly covered industries to start registering them with the WCB. Employers that employ workers in industries affected by the extension of coverage do not need to wait to hear from the WCB. These employers are encouraged to visit the WCB website at www.wcb.mb.ca and fill out an online pre-registration questionnaire which will help the WCB determine if they need to register.

The Workers Compensation Act provides that employers excluded from compulsory workers compensation coverage may apply for and purchase voluntary workers compensation coverage.

“Now that we know the scope of this extension of coverage, the WCB will develop a campaign to market voluntary coverage to excluded employers so they too can have the opportunity to benefit from workers compensation coverage,” says Sexsmith.

The Manitoba WCB is a mutual injury and disability insurance agency governed by a Board of Directors representative of employers, workers and the public interest and funded by employer premiums.

For more information contact:

Warren Preece

Director of Communications

Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba

(204)-954-4113

1-800-362-3340

Email: wcb@wcb.mb.ca