Covid-19 as an Industrial Disease

Our Ref: HSR/1/3
Head Office Circular: NP/427/21
22nd November 2021
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

COVID-19 AS AN INDUSTRIAL DISEASE

A Special meeting of your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 19th November to discuss a report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee, relating from when it met to discuss proposed legislation in the Scottish Parliament to establish a statutory Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council, a body which would shape and scrutinise the social security available to people injured in the course of their employment.

At its meeting on 19th November 2021 your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

We note that the initial Parliamentary hurdle in the Scottish process towards getting Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill into legislation has been passed.

We also note that TUC representatives on IIAC (Industrial Injuries Advisory Council) have been supporting the work the committee have been doing to get Covid-19 listed as an industrial injury:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-occupation-iiac-position-paper-48

RMT NEC agree that if Covid-19 becomes a prescribed industrial disease our members, along with many other workers, will benefit by obtaining access to benefits.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

I will keep members advised of any developments.

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary