October 19 was the annual United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. We ask that everyone in our community take a few minutes to reflect on this issue.
I am an advocate for injured and disabled workers and we are finding a consistently high rate of poverty among our members – workers who get hurt or made sick at work, here in Ontario. This is more than an individual issue as it effects the whole family.
I think the most common scenario is that of a family with both parents working to make ends meet. One of the parents gets hurt fairly seriously and ends up with a permanent disability. There are over 15,000 such cases in Ontario every year.
Once you have a permanent disability, you have less than a 50-50 chance of maintaining employment. Now, the family must strive to live on only one income. (The majority of workers with a “WSIB-certified” permanent disability receive no long-term pension.) Not only is the family struggling to live on less, the injured/disabled parent is living in pain and depression is soon to follow.
Research done in Toronto has found an increase of 22-25 per cent of family breakdown for those disabled at work. With reduced family income and family breakdown, child poverty is the result. We think that the WSIB and the Ontario government are failing in their responsibilities to assist those workers and their families.
Now that you have reflected on this tragedy, you may ask yourself, what can I do about it. We ask that you find out more. Give us a call at 622-8897. Join us on Dec. 4 as we share our stories with our local MPPs. Speak out about injustice and the kind of community you want to live in – hopefully – without poverty.
Steve Mantis
Treasurer, Thunder Bay Injured Workers Support Group
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