STRONG SUPPORT FOR INJURED WORKERS

24 February 2008

An independent survey has revealed the public wants injured workers to receive proper WorkCover support.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says two out of three South Australians do not support cuts to workers entitlements.

She says the state government will alienate voters if it caves in to business pressure to slash the WorkCover scheme.

As part of the McGregor Tan Household omnibus survey of 400 adults for February 2008, the question was asked: "There has been public debate about WorkCover's performance and efficiency.  Would you support cuts to injured workers' entitlements in order to reduce the cost of the scheme and the cost to employers?"

Overall, 65% of respondents said they did not support cuts to entitlements.  20% said they didn't know and 15% said they did support cuts to entitlements.

The survey revealed that the age group that is most strongly against cuts are the 44 to 54 year olds, with 77% opposed to reducing worker entitlements.  McGregor Tan comments that "somewhat surprisingly those on higher incomes, and professionals are also strongly against cuts to workers' entitlements."

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says South Australians want a fair deal for injured workers.

"We are heartened by the public's strong support for injured workers.  There is widespread recognition that injured workers should not be further harmed by cuts to entitlements in order to satisfy the profit demands of the business lobby."

"Workers need support to rehabilitate and safely return to work and be productive again.  It's apparent that people recognise slashing entitlements slows that process and ends up costing us more as a society."

"WorkCover is a crucial insurance policy for each and every South Australian who could potentially be injured at work.  If it happens to you or your family, you want proper support to aid recovery.  People don't want to be financially penalised in order to prop up business' bottom lines", she says.