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ACC - Source: ONE News
As the government moves to address huge ACC deficits, new statistics show work-related injury claims have been declining steadily.
Statistics NZ figures released on Wednesday show the number of work-related injury claims to ACC decreased by 4.2% last year, down to 224,900 from 235,000 in 2007.
The figures indicate a steady decline, with the number of claims in 2007 down 4.7% on 2005.
Labour-intensive occupations with traditionally high injury rates also saw a decrease in claims, with the injury rate dropping from 27 percent of workers in 2007 to 23% last year.
Claims for entitlement payments, which cover the costs of treatment or rehabilitation and
compensate for loss of income, fell 10% last year.
The total number of entitlement claims was 30,100 last year, down 3600 on 2007.
Machine operators and assemblers had the highest rate of injury, accounting for 23% of all claims in 2008.
The statistics come as the government moves to reduce huge deficits at ACC, which showed a loss of $4.8 billion in the last financial year on top of a $2.4b loss the previous year.
Parliament passed the first reading of a bill on Tuesday which would raise levies and cut some entitlements, measures ACC Minister Nick Smith said were essential to deal with the deficits.
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