INSURANCE OF WORKERS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27307, 25 March 1954, Page 13

INSURANCE OF WORKERS

SUBSTANTIAL CUTS IN PREMIUMS

162 OCCUPATIONS AFFECTED

(New Zealand Association)

WELLINGTON, March 24. Substantial reductions in workers’ compensation premiums were announced today by the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan). The reductions, which are listed in the Emifi™ er i S n C > t Liability Insurance Regulations, 1954. cover 162 occupations. There C l ° creases .in the premium rates for 63 occupations, but the new rates , m ® a n a large reduction in the total of premiums payable. In addition to the adjustments in the occupational rates, the regulations provide for a continuation of the 7i per cent rebate on premiums introduced last year. Mr Sullivan said it was particularly gratifying to be able to announce reductions at this time. Over the last three years, since the right to undertake workers’ compensation insurance had. been restored to private companies, there had been large increases m the benefits granted to workers injured m the course of their employment.

The Workers’ Compensation Board nad finished a complete review of the premium rates, in accordance with its policy of doing this at least every three years. Premium rates were related to actual claims paid, so that industries which were able to reduce the ir accident rates were receiving the benefits in the form of reduced premiums.

• > am satisfied that there is a considerable scope for reducing industrial accident rates in New Zealand,” said Mr Sullivan. “I am glad to hear of the interest that employers and trade unionists are showing in the subject, following the lead that has been given by the Workers’ Compensation Board m the establishment of safety associations m the main industrial centres. Apart from all other considerations, the new rates of compensation insurance show that proper attention by management to accident prevention methods pays dividends in reduced costs of production.”

Among the new occupational premium rates, assessed on every £lOO of wages, are (old rates in parenthesis):— carriers, 32s 6d (47s 6d); waterside workers £6 10s (£12); coalminers, t.B (£6 10s); woollen mill workers, £1 (14s); fertiliser workers, 35s (455); freezing workers, 50s (57s 6d); flour mill workers, 30s (32s 6d); shipwrights, 37s 6d (80s); window cleaners, 75s (355); wool scourers, 27s 6d (255). Builders' Costs The new rates were expected to reduce builders’ costs, added the Minister. There had been important reductions in the premiums for the occupations which contributed the largest share of the labour content of a house, with increases in only two The premium rate for the builder of private houses and other buildings not exceeding two storeys had been reduced from 42s 6d to 355, for carpenters from 35s to 30s, for plasterers and painters and glaziers from 30s to 255, for electricians from 30s to 15s, for plumbers from 30s to 20s, and for architects and clerks of works from 25s to 7s 6d.

The premium for timber merchants’ employees undertaking bush work of any kind had been reduced from £5 10s to £4. for employees working in sash and door factories and timber yards from £2 10s to £1 10s, and for employees breaking down and cutting logs from £4 to £3 10s.

There had been increases in premiums in only two classes in this category, from 30s to 35s in concrete products manufacturing, and from 35s to £2 in sash and door manufacturing.