With Victorian businesses in financial distress or going into hibernation due to COVID-19, the cost of WorkCover premiums is another pressure they could do without.
Employers are required to bear the cost of workers’ compensation insurance, even if normal business operations are disrupted or in hibernation.
WorkCover should be able to offer a discount or another form of premium relief to businesses that have been subject to closure or highly impacted by COVID-19.
The State Government can help WorkCover to provide relief by cancelling its plans to take a $700 million dividend out of WorkCover, as foreshadowed in the State Budget.
The Liberal Nationals are calling on the State Government to cancel its dividend raid from WorkCover and to instead provide relief to distressed businesses.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Workplace Safety, Nick Wakeling:
“Now more than ever, it’s better for money to be in the hands of employers than to be paid out as a dividend from WorkCover.”
“We want employees to continue to be covered and the best way to ensure this is to help businesses survive this crisis.”
