Ramos, Seitz Lock In Debate Over Workers' Comp Benefits For Undocumented People

The Senate is now considering a proposal that would ban undocumented workers from receiving workers’ compensation if they’re injured on the job. The measure passed through the House, but not without a heated debate between two fiery lawmakers.Democratic Representative Dan Ramos of Lorain argued that stripping workers’ comp benefits from undocumented workers would encourage bad employer practices.“If the workplace is unsafe for one employee, regardless of their status or documentation, it’s unsafe for all employees. It is unsafe period.”But Republican Representative Bill Seitz of Cincinnati says if employers knowingly hire an undocumented worker they would be subject to a lawsuit.“The employer gets victimized twice. First he’s been deceived by the employee for turning in forged papers and then to add insult onto injury he gets to turn around and pay the medical bill for the illegal alien that deceived the employer in the first place.”The measure, which is found in the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation budget bill, now moves to the Senate. Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.