19.05.2022

THE EU RECOGNIZES COVID-19 AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE

The European Union will recognize coronavirus infection as an occupational disease according to an agreement reached between European countries and representatives of trade unions and employers, the European Commission said.

The Commission will recommend that COVID-19 be included in the lists of occupational diseases in European countries by the end of the year in the health, social care and home care sectors and, in the event of a pandemic, in outbreak sectors of the disease in activities with a proven risk of infection.

The change will allow workers who became infected with COVID-19 while at work to receive rights, including compensation, if provided for by national law.

According to the Bulgarian legislation and according to the terms and conditions set by the Social Security Code, in case of an accident at work and occupational disease the insured persons or their heirs are entitled to cash benefits for temporary incapacity for work, cash benefits for employment in another job, personal or survivor's disability pension, cash benefits for prevention and rehabilitation and one-time assistance in case of death.