North Dakota businesses will pay an average of 3 percent more in worker injury insurance premiums next year, according to a rate plan being considered by the state Workforce Safety and Insurance agency's board.

The proposal includes a doubling of the agency's minimum annual charge, from $125 to $250. Sandy Blunt, the chief executive officer of WSI, said the increase has been recommended by the agency's actuarial consultant.

The minimum has not changed since 1994, Blunt said Wednesday. About 19,500 employers are covered by the agency's policies, of which about 3,910 now pay the $125 minimum charge.

WSI sells insurance coverage, which employers are required to buy, that provides medical, wage and rehabilitation benefits to workers who are hurt on the job. The coverage protects employers from worker lawsuits over job-related injuries.

The Workforce Safety and Insurance board of directors will make its final decisions June 8.