A re-elected BC Liberal government will put a cap on WorkSafeBC91裸聊视频檚 surplus premiums and return excess funds to employers who pay into the agency91裸聊视频檚 injury fund, Jobs Minister Shirley Bond says.
Bond said Wednesday she doesn91裸聊视频檛 have a figure yet on how much money WorkSafeBC should have on hand in its accident fund, but an analysis will be done by June. A policy would be set when the legislature sits after the election.
91裸聊视频淲e believe the best place that additional funds for employers would be in their businesses,91裸聊视频� Bond said. 91裸聊视频淪o as we see the surplus in the accident fund increasing, we want to be sure there is a mechanism of policy and explicit direction that at a particular point there would be a return of funds to employers in British Columbia.91裸聊视频�
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has been pushing for the policy, citing similar measures in Alberta and Saskatchewan. CFIB says that by 2015, WorkSafeBC91裸聊视频檚 assets exceeded liabilities by $4.5 billion, making the fund nearly 40 per cent 91裸聊视频渙verfunded.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淪mall business owners care deeply about their employees91裸聊视频� safety and understand the importance of WorkSafeBC being adequately funded,91裸聊视频� CFIB vice-president for B.C. and Alberta Richard Truscott said in a statement. 91裸聊视频淗owever, being significantly overfunded is unfair to employers.91裸聊视频�
Truscott said CFIB has met with WorkSafeBC multiple times on the issue and delivered petitions supported by 1,700 small business owners.
BC Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger called the proposal 91裸聊视频渁n outrageous political move91裸聊视频� at a time when more needs to be done to ensure worker safety.
91裸聊视频淭he money that the government and employers are appropriating should instead be used to improve benefits for workers killed an injured on the job that were slashed by the BC Liberals,91裸聊视频� Lanzinger said.
WorkSafeBC reports that the provincial injury rates have been declining in recent years. Base premium rates for employers were increased in 2013 and 2014.
