EU to recognise COVID-19 as occupational disease
Covid - Photo © European Union
(BRUSSELS) - Member States, workers and employers in an EU advisory health committee reached agreement Wednesday on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease in health and social care.
The EU Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH) supported an update of the EU list of occupational diseases for workers in the care professions and in sectors where there is an outbreak in activities with proven risk of infection.
The agreement is a strong political signal to recognise the impact of COVID-19 on workers and acknowledge the crucial contribution of people working in health and social care, as well as other jobs that carry a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
The agreement is an important step in implementation of the EU's Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027, where the Commission announced it will update the Commission Recommendation on occupational diseases to include COVID-19 by the end of this year.
The framework sets out key actions at EU level to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years. One of its key cross-cutting objectives is increasing preparedness for any potential future health crises. This also implies stepping up support to workers during possible future waves of COVID-19.
Following the opinion of the ACSH, the Commission will update the Recommendation listing occupational diseases, and agents that can cause them, which the Commission recommends Member States to recognise. The aim is that Member States adapt their national laws according to the updated Recommendation. If recognised as an occupational disease in a Member State, workers in relevant sectors, who have contracted COVID-19 at the workplace, may acquire specific rights according to national rules, like the right to compensation.