RELIEF INSURANCE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXI, Issue 10920, 21 September 1932, Page 3

RELIEF INSURANCE.

BOARD TO BEAR COST. From October 1 the Unemployment Board has decided to take over the cost of Insurance for relief workers, according to a statement made to The Dominion, by the Acting-Min-ister of Employment, Hon. A. Hamilton. “For some time past local bodbeen complaining to the Unemployment Board of the cost of carrying the different charges relating to relief workers under their care, such as those for insurance, tools, tansport, and supervision,” Mr Hamilton said. "This problem has of late become very acute in the capital city. “In order to give local bodies a measure of relief, the board has now decided to take over the insurance cost. This employers liability has always been carried by the Public Works Department. Subject to the necessary confirmations, the Unemployment Board will from October 1 accept this insurance liability. Arrangements Avill be made for the State Fire Insurance, which has offered to assist the board at a nominal cost, to determine the amount of compensation due to any injured relief worker. “The board freely acknowledges the valuable assistance given it by local bodies in handling the unemployed problem. The measure of help thus given will enable these local bodies more freely to continue their assistance to the board in the administration of the relief fund.” Up to the present time the local bodies have been carrying the insurance risks on relief workers. Until recently they Avere bearing this risk at a charge of 30/ per cent, on Avages paid. This was reduced to 25/ per cent. The Unemployment Board will in future carry this risk in the same manner as the Public Works Department does with its employees.