May 1, 2020
The Manitoba Fedration of Labour has learned that WCB COVID-19 claims by workers in Manitoba are being approved at an alarmingly low rate, with just six per cent of claims having been accepted so far (7 out of 123). The vast majority of claims related to COVID-19 have been submitted by health care workers. The MFL has been calling for the Pallister government to provide presumptive WCB coverage for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic here in Manitoba.
After learning of these deeply concerning numbers, President Kevin Rebeck has once again written the Minister of Finance to encourage the government to do the right thing and provide presumptive WCB coverage for COVID-19 to make sure workers have access to a simpler, more straightforward claims process that provides them the supports they need. You can read that letter here.
You can read a previous letter from President Rebeck on this issue here.