by MARC APOLLONIO

When it comes to workers’ compensation in Quebec, domestics don’t count.

This seems to be the viewpoint of the provincial workers’ compensation board, the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CSST).

The CSST abides by the Act Respecting Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases to determine who gets insured. To do so, it doesn’t split hairs.

According to this law, a “worker”—and thus someone who qualifies—is a “person who does work for an employer for remuneration under a contract of employment or of apprenticeship, except 1) a domestic.”

It also excludes home-care attendants and pro athletes.

Taking issue with this is the coalition that launched CSST for Domestic Workers.

The three groups involved, who began the campaign in early March, are the Immigrant Workers’ Centre (IWC),the Filipino Women’s Organization of Quebec (PINAY) and the home caregivers organization, L’Association des Aides Familiales du Québec (AAFQ).The coalition points out that in B.C., Manitoba and Ontario, domestic workers aren’t excluded from the compensation programs.

Under Quebec rules, however, domestic workers can access coverage only by paying the premium themselves, while for everyone else, it’s the employers who pay.

The minimum premium a domestic worker will pay is $405. This is for the lowest risk domestic work and a yearly income of $16,200—beyond that, the higher the risk and salary, the higher the premium.

According to CSST for Domestic Workers, of the 25,000 domestic workers in Quebec in 2003, only 13 had CSST coverage after paying their way.

Evelyn Calugay, a PINAY exec, explains that it’s unfair to require domestic workers to pay their own premiums when “most of them make minimum wage.”

The majority of PINAY members are domestic workers who have not yet been given residency permits in Canada, she says

She tells the story of one Filipina who hurt her shoulder on the job while physically supporting her elderly employer who had trouble walking.

“She wasn’t able to work for two weeks, so she wasn’t paid,” says Calugay.

Since beginning the campaign in early March, the coalition sent a letter to Labour Minister Laurent Lessard.

Lisa Caldes, the campaign's coordinator at IWC, says the ministry’s letter of reply indicated they would be looking into the dossier shortly.

She says the coalition has also sent a letter to every CSST board member and is waiting to hear back.

Jean-Pascal Bernier, attaché for Lessard, says any alterations to the law will go through the CSST board of directors before the Labour Ministry.

“If the CSST determines that there are changes to be made, then they’ll bring it to the minister,” he says.

While the coalition seems to have tackled a long campaign, Calugay says she’s resolved.

“We’re going to hope, we’re going to try, and we’re not going to stop until we get it.”