COVID as an occupational disease

The UK lags behind a number of other countries when it comes to recognising COVID-19 as an occupational disease and compensating affected workers, according to reports presented at a recent European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) webinar.

University of Manchester public health lecturer Jill Stocks explained that the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council has not yet recommended adding COVID-19 to the “closed” list of over 70 prescribed occupational diseases. This means UK workers can’t currently claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

In contrast, in other countries, COVID is recognised as an occupational disease. The SAK Finnish trade union confederation medical advisor, Riitta Työläjärvi, told the ETUI webinar that by April 2021, Finnish authorities had recognised COVID as an occupational disease in 304 out of 355 COVID cases.

The ETUI is gathering and analysing information to inform trade union policy in this area.

https://www.etui.org/news/covid-19-occupational-disease-long-and-winding-road-compensation