AOb and FNV demand 150 million for victims of long covid
There must be a government fund of 150 million euros for victims of lung covid in education and care. That write the AOb and FNV in a letter to the Ministers of Education, Social Affairs and Long-term Care.
Picture: Type tank
The unions claim an amount of 150 million euros as compensation for costs incurred by the victims due to their illness. "It will finally bring recognition to the heroes who sacrificed their health for their situation," write the AOb and FNV.
According to both unions, too little has been done to protect the health of employees during the corona crisis. “During the first lockdown, emergency care and education for vulnerable children continued,” says AOb-chairman Tamar van Gelder. “It was then assumed that children could not transmit the virus to adults. That turned out to be absolutely not true.”
If this fund does not materialize, we will hold the state liable
In contrast to other countries, there was also no mouth mask advice in Dutch education at the start of the crisis and the ventilation systems were often found to be deprecated to be. As a result, many teachers and support staff got infected in the workplace. “In addition, even after we insisted on it several times, the teaching staff did not receive any priority in vaccinations", say AObPresident Van Gelder. “And only after two years, steps were taken to improve ventilation in the classrooms – which, by the way, is still not in order in many schools.”
Reporting point
De AOb and FNV opened hotlines a few months ago for employees from education and care respectively. The two hotlines together received more than 6000 responses from employees with long covid.
Recognition
It is very difficult for these lung covid patients to obtain recognition and compensation for the costs incurred, the authorities write AOb and the FNV. 'Employers, RIVM and central government constantly refer to each other. Lung covid patients are sent from pillar to post. Because of incorrect advice and promises that have not been met, this group feels that they have not been heard and not treated with respect.'
Front line
The unions are also saddened to see that talks about a compensation fund for the victims have been coming to naught for some time now. “That is why we are now making a proposal for such an allowance fund ourselves,” says Van Gelder. “Employees in care & welfare and education have been on the frontline from day one - with their health at stake. They are entitled to respect and financial compensation.”
Quick
Research into occupational diseases shows that employees have a primary interest in a quick financial compensation, without years of complicated legal proceedings. That is why a fund must now be established quickly for the employees who have reported to the long covid hotlines for care and education, the authors write. AOb and FNV. 'With an amount of 150 million euros, for recognition and a contribution for the costs incurred. If this fund is not established, we will hold the state liable.'
Do you work in education and are you struggling with long-term complaints after a corona infection? Sign up at our hotline.
De AOb previously published a Black book long covid.
As a AOb-member, you are entitled to all kinds of support, for example with reintegration at work or applying for a disability benefit. Call our information and advice center, our employees will be happy to help you: 030 298 95 99. And become a member - together we stand stronger.
