The provincial government is increasing the amounts paid to people who have been injured on the job.

About 8,000 workers receive wage-loss benefits from WorkplaceNL each year. For a worker earning $50,000 annually, the increase will amount to about an extra $2,000 a year. A worker making at or above maximum earnings would receive more than $2900 annually.

The increase applies to both short-term and long-term benefits, as well as compensation for dependents when a worker passes away as a result of a workplace injury or illness.

The change pushes the compensation rate from 85 per cent of insurable earnings to 90 per cent.

Minister Lloyd Parrott says the change brings Newfoundland and Labrador in line with most other Canadian jurisdictions.