TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At 11:30am today, the Ontario Network of Injured Workers’ Groups (ONIWG) will be holding a public action outside the Ministry of Labour in Toronto, as part of a province-wide week of action by people who have been injured or made ill on the job. The event promises to be bright, colourful, and festive, while delivering a hard-hitting message about the crisis situation that too many injured workers in our community are facing.
“The holiday season can be a difficult time for injured workers because of the WSIB’s focus on cutting compensation in order to save its own money,” said ONIWG President Willy Noiles. “And this year things have gotten worse, with the Conservative government announcing a massive 30% reduction to employer premium rates. This will save employers $1.5 billion per year, while injured workers across the province are struggling with poverty and homelessness.”
The action in Toronto is one of many events happening in communities across Ontario from December 10-14, organized by ONIWG. It will feature speakers from community and labour groups who have already suffered from the government’s actions so far, including representatives from the Fight for $15 and Fairness Campaign, the Ontario Federation of Labour, and the ODSP Action Coalition. There will also be an appearance from the Grinch who’s trying to steal workers’ compensation – though his efforts will surely be defeated by the resilience of injured workers.
“Through the Workers’ Comp Is A Right campaign and the Real Healthcare campaign, injured workers have made clear their vision for a fair compensation system, and have gotten broad public support,” said Noiles, “Now it’s time for the Ontario government to show that it actually is ‘for the people,’ and take action to end the crisis of injured worker poverty. We’re calling for a system that treats us with dignity and respect. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
For more information, please contact:
Willy Noiles – 289-219-4473