NORTH BERGEN, NJ – (March 24, 2020) Harold J. Daggett, President, International Longshoremen’s Association, today asked New Jersey U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and New York U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer to protect ILA members who have been exposed to, have contracted Coronavirus or are caring for a sick family member, to be eligible to receive Federal Compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). The ILA leader requested Congress to pass a temporary measure to the LHWCA, an Act that provides compensation to longshore workers injured as a result of their employment.
In addition to working with Sens. Menendez and Schumer on obtaining Federal Compensation for ILA members, President Daggett has also called on House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s and New Jersey Congressmen Albio Sires and Donald Payne, Jr., to help get coverage for longshoremen.
“Given the current COVID-19 pandemic and the risks inherent to longshoremen, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA requests a temporary measure be implemented to cover under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) longshore workers who have been quarantined due to the contraction of the virus or when an individual leaves employment due to exposure or infection or to care for a family member,” President Daggett wrote to each Senate and House member.”
President Daggett noted that in most States, workers are protected under state workers’ compensation laws, but the longshore industry is unique in that it is covered by a federal statue.
The full text of President Daggett’s letter is below. Click to download the PDF.
