Dumped on dole by WorkCover

Pictured Ray Hendry

A 57-YEAR-OLD widower has become one of the state's first casualties of tougher WorkCover rules, that cut compensation for workplace injuries after 130 weeks.

Security guard Ray Hendry describes himself as destitute and says he was forced to sell his Salisbury Park home last month because he could no longer meet the mortgage payments.

His plight is revealed as a new study by UniSA, commissioned by Unions SA, found that the State Government's changes to WorkCover payouts - introduced in July 2008 - have created greater financial stress among injured employees and contributed to at least two suicides.

"I feel like WorkCover just wanted to get me off their books and have dumped me on the dole to save money and, in the process, have left me destitute," Mr Hendry said.

He was injured after falling into a pothole while on night patrol of a factory in October 2005.

He has had five operations to his injured right knee and ankle and is due for another this month.

Last year, an independent occupational therapist - consulted by WorkCover - determined Mr Hendry cannot sit or stand for more than 45 minutes at a time; he cannot squat or kneel, use ladders or bend forward without support.

Nevertheless, last September WorkCover ruled Mr Hendry was fit for full-time administrative employment. He was transferred from his income support of $656 a week to the dole, at $232 a week.

"If WorkCover can find someone who will employ me with these restrictions, then I'll be at work first thing Monday morning," said Mr Hendry. He said he had unsuccessfully applied for several jobs, which he believed showed his physical limitations made him unemployable.

SA Unions secretary Janet Giles said: "Mr Hendry would be one of the first workers hit by the new legislation, which says if a person is deemed to have any capacity to work after 130 weeks, they can be kicked off compensation - and what has happened to him can happen to any worker.

"These changes are blatantly unfair to workers and we are calling on all parties in the lead-up to the (March) State election to reintroduce fairness to the workers' compensation scheme."

WorkCover spokesman Jo Stefanac said the organisation could not comment on Mr Hendry's case because he "has a Notice of Dispute lodged with the Workers Compensation Tribunal".