Following new data on Long Covid by the Office for National Statistics, the TUC is calling on the UK government to recognise Covid-19 as an occupational disease. This would entitle employees to protection and compensation if they contracted the virus while working.
According to estimated figures published by the Office for National Statistics, around two million people in the UK have Long Covid. The trade body wants the Government to introduce reasonable adjustments to ensure they don’t face discrimination at work.
“Two million people in the UK are now estimated to have Long Covid. Those workers in health and social care and education most likely to be affected,” stated TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “Long Covid is affecting the day-to-day activities of 1.4 million; and 807,000 first contracted Covid-19 at least 12 months ago.”
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
O’Grady noted that many people with Long Covid are “classed as disabled under the Equality Act”. So, legally their bosses must introduce reasonable adjustments to support them and make sure they don’t face discrimination.
“But not everyone has these vital protections. Ministers must urgently recognise Long Covid as a disability to make sure that all working people with the condition are formally protected by employment law,” highlighted O’Grady. “With millions of people now experiencing Long Covid, we can’t afford to just wait and see what happens. The government must introduce these legal protections now. That’s the least we owe to the key workers who kept our country going through the pandemic; and now have Long Covid as a result.”
Covid-19 is one of the top cause of disability for workers in countries like the US. Click here to read more.
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