Planned government cuts to ACC will inflict "unnecessary hardship" on people already suffering from the effects of their personal injuries, Acclaim Otago president Denise Powell says.
"Cutting entitlements to part-time, casual and seasonal workers who are injured on the job will drive thousands of New Zealanders further into poverty, the very outcome the ACC scheme is supposed to avoid," Mrs Powell said.
Cuts to counselling and entitlements for people with sensitive claims added insult to injury, and there was concern among counsellors that more people would be pushed over the edge by what they felt was cruel and inhumane treatment.
And denying cover to people who harmed themselves was "callous and brutal", as many of these people were clearly unwell when they hurt themselves.
If ACC really wanted to save money, and limit levy increases, it should take a hard look at some of its assessors, who were paid six figure sums annually in addition to working in the public health sector.
ACC should also look at its own ballooning administration costs, she said.
A national day of protest action on Monday has been organised by a network of people concerned about cuts to ACC sexual abuse counselling.
Members of Acclaim Otago would take part in the planned protest in Dunedin, which included a 3pm picket outside the city's ACC offices, in Maclaggan St, and a rally in the Octagon from 4.30pm, officials said.
Acclaim Otago is a support and advocacy group involving ACC claimants.
