Ministers must not abandon workers with Long Covid  

Commenting on a report published by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council – the body advising government on which diseases should be classified as work-related – which recommends that health and social care workers experiencing long term symptoms following Covid infection should be able to claim industrial injuries benefit - TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  

“Workers in health and social care are among the most likely to be infected with Covid-19 while doing their job, and many are still suffering the consequences of long-term ill health effects. 

“It’s time to recognise this condition as occupational, and make sure workers who are living with post-Covid symptoms get the support they need. 

• A disability. Some people with Long Covid are already recognised as disabled under the law but adding it as a named disability to the Equality Act would ensure everyone with symptoms is protected and would have a right to get reasonable adjustments at work. 

• An occupational disease. in other sectors beyond health and social care.: this would entitle more front-line workers to protection and compensation if they contracted the virus while working.