UnSafe Work Practises Highlighted

Witness told the Winnipeg Sun that the window washer's rope broke, causing him to fall all the way down through a ground-floor overhead window and into the complex’s lobby.

Province planning crackdown on unsafe workplaces: Chris Piper fell eight stories and survived. Two weeks ago, he was cleaning windows when something went terribly wrong. He's still recovering but the death-defying fall was just one of about 37,000 workplace accidents that happen every year in Manitoba. 24-year old Curtis Martel says he's been injured so many times at work, he's lost count. "A lot of day to day things, like cuts and burns, working in restaurants that's really common, slips, falls, chemical burns," said Martel. From minor injures to fatalities, the province is now cracking down on employers who repeatedly fail to keep their workplaces safe. "I think you can expect to see more fines in the coming months," announced Jennifer Howard, Minister Responsible for the Worker's Compensation Board.

Come Monday, any company with a lot of accidents will be displayed on, www.safemanitoba.com, for you to see. "Some companies need to be named and shamed in order to change their work practices," said Martel. As well, the province will reward good employers by reducing Worker's Compensation rates if there are fewer injured workers, some the Federation of Labour says will cause other problems. "Sadly there are a number of employers out there that use that way to game the system," said Kevin Rebeck, "they use intimidation, pressure or misinformation so workers don't report their claims." "We need to make sure the incentives actually result in safer workplaces," said Howard. The province is conducting a review of the entire Workplace Safety and Health Act, changes it hopes will prevent accidents from happening.

Teng Laguilam hands over donations made by Filipino residents to Jovita Bulseco. Bulseco said her problem began after she fell while cleaning a window in her employer’s home.

OFWs help ailing housemaid (Jeddah) — Kindhearted Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) taking part in a basketball tournament here donated money to help an ailing Filipino domestic helper who is collecting money to finance an operation to remove a tumor in her spine. Audience members, players and organizers of the Filipino Basketball Tournament all donated money to help 37-year-old Jovita Bulseco pay for her operation. “I am very happy seeing my fellow OFWs donating money from their hearts and I am convinced that bayanihan spirit among Filipinos is still alive,” said a teary-eyed Bulseco.

Teng Laguialam, President of the Filipino Salesman and Merchandizers (FILSAMA) and Commissioner of the Filipino Basketball League said it is their duty as Filipinos to render assistance to any fellow countrymen in need. Acknowledging the amount donated was not very big, Laguialam said the compassion he saw from the kababayan after he informed them of Bulseco’s situation, made him proud to be a Filipino.

Bulseco said her problem began after she fell while cleaning a window in her employer’s home. Two months later, when her condition worsened, she was finally taken to the hospital. She said she isn’t ashamed to ask for help and will do anything for the sake of her children’s future. Due to her condition, Bulseco has difficulty walking and relies on a walking stick. She learned of the tumor in her spine after an advocacy group in Jeddah brought her to the hospital to have her spine checked.

Bulseco said she began asking for financial assistance from her compatriots because her employer is unlikely to shoulder her medical expenses or the costs of her operation. “I still have hope that my employer will help me. I hope I can survive this problem for the sake of my children,” said Bulseco.