NATIONAL NEWS - On Friday 20 March, the Department of Labour issued a notice under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act that makes provision for compensation of employees who contract Covid-19 in the line of duty.
It includes high exposure risk occupations (such as health care workers, laboratory personnel and morgue workers), medium exposure risk jobs (that require frequent and close contact with people who may be infected), and lower exposure risk occupations (such as in schools and high-density work environments such as labour centres, point-of-entry personnel and high-volume retail settings).
Compensation will make provision for temporary total disablement (TTD) for a period not exceeding 30 days.
Employer liable in unconfirmed cases
The employer will be liable for remuneration for days of absence in unconfirmed cases where a registered medical practitioner recommends self-quarantine in accordance with the Department of Health and World Health Organisation guidelines.
Confirmed cases for the account of Compensation Commissioner
For confirmed cases and where the Compensation Fund has accepted liability, TTD as a result of Covid-19 will be paid for up to 30 days from the date of diagnosis. In all accepted cases of Covid-19, medical aid will be provided for a period of not more than 30 days from the date of diagnosis.
The notice also makes provision for death benefits if an employee dies as a result of the complications of Covid-19.
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