Poverty

Women and workplace health

March 7, 2018

Women workers make up 48% of Ontario’s employed workforce and represent 35% of allowed high impact lost time compensation claims (Schedule 1), 50% of Schedule 2 claims, according to WSIB 2016 statistics. However in their study “Falling Through the Legal Cracks”…

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The hidden truth

March 3, 2018

Injured Worker Unemployment: The Hidden Truth by the ONIWG Research Action Committee highlights telling statistics on wage loss and unemployment among seriously injured workers with permanent disabilities – and the resulting mental health impacts. According to figures provided by the WSIB, only…

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Injured workers: taking an extra hit

January 8, 2018

“Injured workers losing out on Ontario’s wage bump. Here’s why” / Sara Mojtehedzadeh (Hamilton Spectator, Toronto Star Jan. 8, 2018) – with Letters to the editor in response (Jan 13). — While supporting the $15 & Fairness minimum wage campaign, injured workers…

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Where did they go?

January 8, 2018

What happens to Ontario’s injured workers with permanent impairments who are denied workers’ compensation or their benefits are cut off when they are unable to get employment after their injury? A recently published report “Where Did They Go?” is the first step…

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Changes to Ontario social assistance programs

September 8, 2017

Several of the changes to the province’s social assistance programs – Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works – announced in the April Budget are now in effect. These build on other initiatives over the past year, including a simpler, less …

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Low income among Canadians with a disability

August 12, 2017

A new Statistics Canada study underscores that having a disability is an important factor that increases the risk of being in low income. Although persons with a disability accounted for approximately 20% of the population aged 25 to 64 in 2014, they…

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Support for families of the injured worker?

April 19, 2017

A work-related injury or illness affects not only the worker but also the family on whom they rely for support. The social, emotional, financial and health toll on households is frequently substantial: lower income or poverty, changed family dynamics, physical strains…

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“Caught in bureaucratic limbo” .. struggling to get by

March 23, 2017

“Why a family of six in Oakville is living on $36K a year: the WSIB refused to compensation Steve Rescan, 40, after back issues forced him to stop working” / Lisa Xing (CBC News Toronto, Mar. 22, 2017) A construction…

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The state of benefit adequacy

October 10, 2016

The U.S. Dept of Labor’s recent report asks the key question: “Does the Workers’ Compensation System Fulfill its Obligations to Injured Workers?” Although there are notable differences between the American and Canadian systems, the report sounds the alarm on concerns relevant also…

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Where did they go? Research Roundtable discussion

August 18, 2016

As a recent OFL letter to the Minister of Labour points out, injured workers not covered under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act are put at risk financially. What happens to those injured workers who are covered under Ontario’s workers’ compensation…

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