WHO IS A WORKER?

Taranaki Daily News, 1 October 1920, Page 5

WHO IS A WORKER?

THOSE WITH LESS THAN £4OO. MORE LIBERAL COMPENSATION. (By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The 'Workers' Compensation Amendment Bill, which was introduced in- the House of Representatives to-day, makes an important alteration in the definition of a worker. The Act of 1908 provides that the term worker shall not include' any person employed otherwise than by way of manual labor, whose remuneration exceeds £260 per annum. The Bill raises the maximum remuneration to £4OO. The maximum amount of compensation payable to dependents in respect of ,the death of a worker is increased from £SOO to £750. The period for which no compensation is payable after an accident is reduced Rom seven days to three days. The maximum weekly payment that may be made to an injured worker during a period of total incapacity is increased from £2 10s a week to £3 15s a week. The amending Act of 1911 provided that compensation to an injured worker might include reasonable medical expenses exceeding £l, and the Bill increases the maximum amount to £2O. vided for the payment of compensation to men working under contract in mines, and the Bill further extends this provision to cover men cutting timber on contract. The provision of the Ait of 1908 relating to common employment is amended so as to make the maximum compensation £750 instead of £SOO. The maxim'iin compensation is eirvilarlv increased in respect of actions frrnegligence of a fellow employee. The Bill proyul.i? that iu any case where the compensation claimed dots not exrj'd the case may be heard in the Magistrate's Court.