(WINNIPEG) – The average WCB assessment rate in Manitoba will drop to $1.10 from $1.25 per $100 of assessable payroll in 2017. This is a 12 per cent reduction from last year, allowing the WCB to offer Manitoba employers the second lowest rate in the country.
The WCB's strong financial stewardship, as well as the commitment of employers and workers to prevention and recovery goals, made the rate decrease possible.
"Our rates remain among the lowest in Canada thanks to a number of factors like safer workplaces and healthy investment returns," says Winston Maharaj, WCB President and CEO. "The success of prevention and return to work efforts by the WCB, workers and employers allow us to continue to offer a competitive advantage for Manitoba employers."
Overall, approximately three quarters of employers will see their rates decrease or remain the same, with 43 per cent of employers paying a lower WCB assessment rate in 2017. Of those, 2,300 employers will receive a further reduction in their rate due to improved industry experience. Those employers with consistently low injury experience will pay the lowest rates within their industry.
"The best way for employers to keep their rates low is to improve health and safety in their workplace and strengthen their return to work programs," says Maharaj.
The gradual increase in the maximum assessable earnings cap also continues, with the 2017 ceiling set at $127,000.
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba is a mutual workplace injury and disability insurance agency funded by employer premiums. We are here to insure and support safe and healthy work and workplaces. We put workers and employers at the centre of all we do. We provide them with valued services for injury prevention, compensation and return to health and work while maintaining system integrity.
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