Aftereffects of the new coronavirus: First injury and illness compensation pension for women who have been severely prolonged

It was found that a woman who was infected with the new coronavirus and certified as a worker's accident was decided to pay an injury and illness compensation pension because the symptoms of sequelae were severe and prolonged. According to the NPO that supports it, it is the first time that this pension has been paid due to the corona infection, and it is expected to lead to relief for people suffering from the aftereffects.

On the 22nd, a 55-year-old woman living in Tokyo held a press conference at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

In January, the woman contracted the new coronavirus while working at a private nursing home in Tokyo and took a leave of absence, and six months later she was certified as a worker's compensation.

After that, he continued to live with oxygen therapy at home without improving his breathlessness, but in May this year, the Labor Standards Inspection Office notified him that he had decided to pay an injury and illness compensation pension.

The injury and illness compensation pension has been for people with severe symptoms who have been recuperating for one and a half years since they started treatment for pneumoconiosis, but according to the NPO, it seems to be the first time that it has been paid in Corona.

The woman said, "I used 1 liters of oxygen every day, so there were few days when I could move energetically, so it took a long time, but I am relieved that I was able to receive the benefit."

Katsuyasu Iida, secretary general of the Tokyo Occupational Safety and Health Center, an NPO, said, "As the treatment and compensation of people suffering from the aftereffects of the coronavirus become an issue, I hope that the government will provide injury and illness compensation pensions to help many people."

Expert: "It is important that the payment of injury and illness compensation pension is approved"

Koichi Kamata, professor emeritus at Toyo University, who is an expert on labor issues, said, "It is said that the hurdle for the aftereffects of the new coronavirus to be recognized as a worker's accident is high in the first place. The aftereffects of the coronavirus are not well understood by some companies, and there are many cases where people with persistent symptoms are asked, 'How long will I take time off work?', so we need to think about how to support these people."