COVID-19 should be recognized as an occupational disease in health, social and home care

Member States, workers and employers reached an agreement in the EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) to recognize COVID-19 as an occupational disease in the health, social and healthcare sectors. home and in the case of activities with a proven risk of infection, the European Commission reported. Updating the EU list of occupational diseases was also supported.

Therefore, the EC will update its recommendations on this matter.

"The agreement is a strong signal that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers should be recognized and the key contributions of those working in the health and social care sector as well as other sectors where workers are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 should be recognized. based on this agreement, the Commission will update its Recommendation on Occupational Diseases to promote the recognition of COVID-19 as an occupational disease by all Member States," said Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.

The agreement marks an important step towards the implementation of the EU Strategic Framework for Health and Safety at Work for 2021-2027, which the Commission adopted in June 2021, which announced that the Commission Recommendation on Occupational Diseases would be updated by the end of this year to include COVID- 19.

They set out the most important actions to be taken at EU level to improve workers' health and safety in the years to come. One of the main cross-cutting objectives is to increase preparedness for possible future health crises. This means, inter alia, increasing support for employees during possible future COVID-19 waves.

Following the ACSH opinion, the Commission will update its recommendations listing the occupational diseases the recognition of which the Commission recommends to Member States and the factors that may cause them.

This is in order for Member States to adapt their national provisions in line with the updated Recommendation. If COVID-19 is recognized as an occupational disease in a given Member State, workers who contract it in the workplace may acquire certain rights under national law, such as the right to compensation.

While the health crisis in Europe related to the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming less severe and Member States are gradually lifting restrictions, the epidemiological situation remains serious. As of 12 May 2022, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has classified certain strains of the omicron variant as 'of concern'.

Therefore, it is warranted to strengthen the protection of workers due to the possibility of further COVID-19 waves, it was also reported.

Some workers are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. This is especially true for workers who are at risk of coming into contact with infected people, for example in the health and social care sectors. In addition, during a pandemic, also workers from other sectors, due to the nature of their work, may be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Recognition of the disease in question as an occupational disease and related compensation are national competences. Most Member States reported to the Commission that they already recognize COVID-19 as an occupational disease under their national legislation.

Source: EU and ISBnews