Workers who have been exposed to harmful substances in their profession and who have become ill as a result can receive a one-off compensation from 1 January 2023. Minister of Social Affairs Karien van Gennip (CDA) announced this on Monday to the House of Representatives† So far, three so-called occupational diseases have been involved: lung cancer caused by asbestos, allergic asthma and chronic encephalopathy, also known as the ‘painter’s disease’.
Occupationally ill people can receive compensation of about 21,000 euros, a fixed amount for everyone, a spokesperson for Social Affairs reported. NRC† They do not have to go to court for this, a process that can take a very long time. According to Minister Van Gennip, the new scheme offers victims ‘social recognition for their occupational disease’.
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The Ministry of Social Affairs will add more occupational diseases to the scheme ‘as soon as it is justified’ and estimates to pay about 1,500 benefits next year. Long covid will not be in this list, because workers have contracted a virus and have not worked with hazardous or chemical substances.
Freelancers and former employees
There was already a compensation scheme for people with lung cancer due to asbestos work or those who have a damaged nervous system (painter’s disease) due to prolonged inhalation of aggressive solvents. With the new scheme, self-employed persons and former employees are also entitled to the amount of damage. Workers who have already received compensation from a previous settlement or won criminal case can still claim the 21,000 euros. The compensation received earlier will then be deducted from this.
It is estimated by Statistics Netherlands and RIVM that about per year die in the Netherlands four thousand people due to an occupational disease, most of whom are retired.