Workmen’s compensation payout is provided to workers who are injured during and in the course of employment and to dependents of the deceased workers whose deaths are related to employment.

Employment Minister Jone Usamate emphasised this after receiving queries from member of the public in Labasa while holding public consultations in the Northern Division this week.

Usamate says for an injured worker to qualify for workmen’s compensation, he or she has to be on work related sick leave for 3 or more consecutive days to qualify for compensation.

He adds under the Workmen’s Compensation Act the injury is to be reported within 14 days and death cases within 7 days upon the employer having knowledge of the accident and death.

The Minister says that compensation cases are to be filed within 3 years from the date of injury or death as all cases received are to be processed within a 6 year timeframe.

Usamate clarifying that the injured worker is entitled to a maximum of 260 weeks which is equivalent to 5 years of continuous sick leave and the employer is required to pay two-third weekly wages.

He says in cases where the worker is inpatient, the employer is obliged to pay two-thirds of the wage and the continuation of two-third wage payment will depend on the production of sick sheet.