Employees are entitled to worker’s compensation. However, because we are covered by different laws, it is important to understand the laws in your country to fully grasp the idea of worker’s compensation. Different countries are of course governed by different laws; hence, the jurisdiction of every country also varies. Let us take a look at how worker’s compensation is, for some of these countries.
1. Australia
Because Australia experienced a comparatively influential labor movement in the late 19th and early 20th century, statutory compensation was said to be implemented very early. Each territory in the country has its own legislation and its own governing body. An example of which is WorkSafe Victoria. Worksafe Victoria manages Victoria’s workplace safety system. Its many responsibilities, among others, include to help employees avoid workplace injuries from occurring, to enforce Victoria’s occupational health and safety laws, to provide for provisions for reasonably priced workplace injury insurance for employers, to assist injured workers back into the workforce, and to manage the workers’ compensation scheme by ensuring the punctual delivery of appropriate services and adopting prudent financial practices.
2. Brazil
In Brazil, they have the National Social Insurance Institute which provides insurance for those who contribute. This is actually a public institution which aims to recognize and grant rights to its policyholders. It has provisions such that during the first 15 days, the worker’s salary is paid by the employer and after that by the INSS, as long as the inability to work lasts. This is actually very helpful because although the worker’s income is guaranteed by the INSS, the employer is still responsible for any loss of his working capacity whether temporary or permanent, when the employer is found negligent or when its economic activity involves risk of accidents or developing labor related diseases.
3. Canada
The workers’ compensation was in fact, Canada’s first social program to be introduced because it was favored by both workers’ groups and employers who are both hoping to avoid lawsuits. The system arose after an incident involving an Ontario Chief Justice William Meredith. He was the one who outlined a system in which workers were to be compensated for workplace injuries, but in return, must give up their right to sue their employers.
4. Germany
The German worker’s compensation law of 6 July 1884, was initiated by Prince Otto von Bismarck and was passed only after three attempts. It was also the first of its kind in the world. After this, similar laws were passed in Austria in 1887, Norway in 1894, and Finland in 1895.
5. Japan
In Japan, workers accident compensation insurance is actually paired with unemployment insurance and is also referred to collectively as Labor Insurance. Its Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance is managed by the Labor Standards Office.
6. Mexico
The Mexican Constitution of 1917 has well-defined the obligation of employers to pay for illnesses or accidents related to the workplace. It was also there that the social security was designated as the institution to administer the right of workers.
Author Bio
Jenifer is a Law Graduate working as a consultant offering professional services like Consultation on Labor Law, fair HR practises to big organization. She is quite inspired by Mitchell Sexner, leading Attorney for workers compensation in Illinois.