Government has introduced legislation which improves compensation rates for injured workers who are retired and are 65 and older.

Temporary Earnings Loss benefits beyond 24 months will be included when calculating a worker’s retirement benefit. Not only that, but the change is retroactive to January 1, 2019.

On average, the increase amounts to about $5,800 per worker with about 3,100 workers eligible.

The minister responsible, Mike Goosney, says affordability was a pillar of his party’s platform.

The change will cost the Workplace NL injury fund roughly $14.3-million.

“The injury fund is in a strong financial position and can absorb the cost. The change is strictly about how retirement benefits are calculated,” noted Minister Goosney in the House of Assembly.

“The change does not affect eligibility.”