Workplace accident and occupational disease insurance: A "safety net" for workers when risks arise.

Occupational accident and disease insurance is a type of insurance designed to protect the rights of workers when they encounter risks during their work and is one of the five mandatory social insurance schemes. In a context where workers constantly face unpredictable occupational risks, occupational accident and disease insurance is a crucial "support system," helping them overcome difficult times and stabilize their lives.

Ms. Pham Thi Voc, from Nghia Tru commune (on the right), was seriously affected after a work accident.

In late 2022, Ms. Pham Thi Voc (from Nghia Tru commune), working at a construction site, unfortunately suffered a work-related accident. The accident required lengthy treatment and forced her to quit her job due to declining health. Following this health setback, Ms. Voc also faced difficulties raising two children who were still in school. Ms. Voc stated: "The biggest disadvantage and regret is that I worked without a labor contract. When the accident happened, the employer only visited and partially covered my medical expenses, without providing any social welfare benefits."

Conversely, Mr. Hoang Trung Hai, a worker at Nikkiso Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Thang Long II Industrial Park), suffered a work-related accident while operating a boiler. After 12 days of treatment at the hospital, his disability assessment showed an 11% loss of health. Mr. Hai received compensation under the 24-hour accident insurance scheme purchased by the company for its employees and a one-time allowance of nearly 27 million VND from the provincial Social Insurance agency. After recovering, he was assigned a job suitable to his health condition, with a current salary of approximately 8 million VND per month.

A safe working environment is crucial for workers to feel secure and productive.

It's not just Mr. Hai; over the years, hundreds of workers who suffered work-related accidents have received timely support from the work-related accident and occupational disease insurance fund. This has reduced the burden of risk, partially compensated for, or replaced, income when they lost part of their job or were no longer able to work.

According to the Law on Occupational Safety and Health, workers are entitled to occupational accident benefits when they meet the prescribed conditions. In cases of a 5% to 30% reduction in working capacity, they receive a one-time allowance; a reduction of 31% or more entitles them to a monthly allowance. Workers with a reduction of 81% or more, spinal cord paralysis, blindness in both eyes, amputation, paralysis of two limbs, or mental illness are entitled to a monthly service allowance equal to the basic salary, in addition to the prescribed benefits. Furthermore, workers are also entitled to health insurance while on leave receiving monthly occupational accident benefits.

Workers who are fully insured will have their risk burden reduced in the event of accidents resulting in partial or permanent disability.

Occupational accident and disease insurance is an excellent policy aimed at sharing the burden of risk, compensating for part or replacing the income of workers during temporary leave. However, in reality, many workers are still unable to access this benefit because they do not have labor contracts, their employers evade social insurance and other mandatory insurance contributions. Furthermore, in some cases, businesses intentionally avoid filing claims for occupational accident benefits for their employees.  

The One-Stop Service Department of the Provincial Social Insurance Office is where applications for social insurance benefits and policies for workers are received and processed.

To stabilize and develop production and business, along with complying with social insurance laws, businesses need to prioritize occupational accident prevention; employees also need to proactively monitor and protect their rights by fully participating in social insurance and health insurance. Note that from January 1, 2025, individuals aged 15 and above working without a labor contract and not subject to mandatory social insurance will have a new option: voluntary occupational accident insurance. With flexible contribution methods, the eligibility condition is that employees who experience a 5% to 100% reduction in working capacity due to occupational accidents during their participation period will receive a one-time allowance. The benefit for a 5% reduction is three times the monthly minimum wage calculated according to region 4 as stipulated by the Government . For every additional 1% decrease in salary, they are entitled to an extra 0.3% of the regional minimum wage (region 4). In addition to this allowance, employees also receive an additional allowance calculated based on the number of years they have contributed to the voluntary occupational accident insurance fund.

Le Thu

Source: https://baohungyen.vn/bao-hiem-tai-nan-lao-dong-benh-nghe-nghiep-cho-dua-cua-nguoi-lao-dong-khi-rui-ro-3182607.html