First COVID-19 Call Center Worker Recognized for Industrial Accident... Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service "Simplifies Procedures"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] A worker infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a call center in Guro-gu, Seoul, has been recognized for the first time as having an occupational disease.

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service announced on the 10th that after receiving an occupational disease application from Mr. A, who was confirmed to have COVID-19 while working at the call center, and after deliberation by the Occupational Disease Judgment Committee, it approved the case as an occupational disease. This is the first case of occupational disease recognition due to COVID-19.

Mr. A was a worker performing call center counseling duties. Considering the nature of the work in a densely populated space with repeated exposure to infection risks such as droplets, the committee judged that there is a significant causal relationship between the work and the disease.

Infectious diseases generally require a long time for occupational disease recognition because the exact infection route must be confirmed through epidemiological investigations. However, for COVID-19 infection cases, clear outbreak routes were confirmed using information from related organizations such as local government websites, and occupational disease approval was promptly decided by omitting epidemiological investigations.

The closure of the Korea Building in Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, where the largest cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the metropolitan area occurred at a call center, was partially lifted at midnight on the 16th for some areas (offices and business spaces on floors 1 to 6). Guro-gu, Seoul, lifted the closure order for the Korea Building at midnight on the 16th. The closure order for the call center floors, 7 to 12, will be maintained until the 22nd, and the decision to lift the order will be made later depending on the situation. The photo shows the entrance of the building with the second closure order posted on that day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Additionally, the Service abolished the employer confirmation system and simplified forms to make it easier for injured workers to apply for occupational disease benefits. The system was improved so that in unavoidable cases, occupational disease applications can be made with only a hospital diagnosis certificate attached.

Even if infected with COVID-19 while working, it is easy to apply for occupational disease benefits, and applications can also be made through occupational disease insurance medical institutions during treatment.

Kang Soon-hee, Director of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service, said, "Going forward, the Service will do its best to help workers who suffer occupational injuries, including COVID-19 occupational disease applications, to conveniently apply for occupational disease benefits and to promptly receive appropriate compensation in a timely manner."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.