May 13, 2020

Treaty 1 Territory, Winnipeg, MB – Tom Lindsey, the Official Opposition Critic for Labour, introduced legislation today that would provide presumptive worker’s compensation for all Manitoba workers.

“All workers should be protected at work,” said Lindsey. “If a worker contracts COVID19, they should know that WCB coverage will be there for them and they won’t have to fight to access it.”

Under the Worker’s Compensation Act, certain injuries are presumed to be caused by a worker’s environment. This bill extends that presumption to workers who test positive for COVID-19 within two weeks after attending their workplace after 1 March 2020, and ensures workers’ pay and position is protected for the duration of their illness.

“In the unfortunate case of a workplace outbreak, workers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 deserve to be paid and their jobs protected while they recuperate and self-isolate. The Pallister government has failed to provide adequate support for workers who have lost their jobs or seen their workweek reduced. We want to ensure that families and workers are supported in the disastrous case of a workplace outbreak,” said Lindsey.

The Official Opposition remains committed to supporting workers and families, and to the efforts of government to fight COVID-19.