Unions are justifiably furious the State Government have made a deal with the Liberals to pass legislation that will significantly reduce the rights of injured workers and worsen the WorkCover scheme
Arguing the scheme is ‘fundamentally broken’ the State Government claims the changes will better support injured workers in spite of an Upper House inquiry finding government consultation on the changes was ‘inadequate’ and the proposed definition of mental injury not suitable.
The inquiry recommended that consultation be reopened, and a special panel commissioned to review the scheme, with input from medical experts.
Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary, Luke Hilakari, says Labor and the Liberals have ‘done a deal to reduce the rights of injured workers.
‘For many… injured workers this is a sentence of poverty. It should be unimaginable that Labor would cosy up to the Libs to remove injured workers rights but that is exactly what happened today.’
The CPSU say Labor’s decision to proceed, with Liberal support, is a ‘devastating decision’.
VTHC argue the problems facing WorkCover are complex and require a more sophisticated solution than simply cutting support for vulnerable workers.
Read VTHC’s statment on what the changes will mean for injured workers here.
