COMPENSATION PAID TO WORKERS

Southland Times, Issue 25746, 9 August 1945, Page 7

COMPENSATION PAID TO WORKERS

SALARY LIMIT REMOVED (PA.) WELLINGTON, August 8. An extension of the definition of the term “worker” by removing the existing limit of £4OO a year so as to bring persons employed otherwise than by way of manual labour and receiving more than that remuneration within the scope of the Workers’ Compensation Act is provided for in the Workers’ Compensation Amendment Bill, which was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Bill is to come into operation on January 1 next. The Minister of Labour,- Mr O’Brien, said that the £4OO limit was fixed many years ago, when the average wage was about £4 a week. Since then wages had increased considerably and there were workers suffering accidents today who were receiving wages of £8 a week. The limit in the existing legislation debarred such persons from receiving . compensation. There was a clause dealing with workers employed under illegal contracts. The Minister said that cases had happened where someone had been manpowered to another employer, but had remained in his former employment for some little time before complying with the direction. If he wdre injured in these circumstances the new provision would enable him to claim compensation. The principal Act was also extended to apply to industrial life insurange agents.