Work accident and occupational disease benefits: Support when encountering risks during work

Support for workers in risky situations

On a December night in 2021, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tin, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi , a worker at Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Co., Ltd., unfortunately had a serious traffic accident while pushing a garbage cart. The accident caused her to suffer a traumatic brain injury and had to quit her job due to poor health. With a disability rate of 31%, Ms. Tin is entitled to a monthly allowance from the Occupational Accident and Occupational Disease Insurance Fund at 30% of the basic salary, equivalent to VND 447,000/month in 2021 and increasing to VND 540,000/month from July 2023.

“The amount is not large, but it is regular, helping me feel secure in my treatment and recovery, and from there gradually return to a normal working life,” Ms. Tin shared.

As for Mr. Nguyen Van Thuy, Soc Son District, Hanoi - a worker at a ceramic tile factory, a work accident left him with a 6% disability in his finger. Thanks to his full participation in social insurance, with a disability rate of less than 31%, Mr. Thuy received a one-time payment of 44 million VND from the Labor Accident and Occupational Disease Insurance Fund - equivalent to 4-5 months of salary. This support helps him and his family cover living expenses and treatment during his time off work.

These are just two of thousands of cases of workers who unfortunately suffered work-related accidents and received timely support from the Occupational Accident and Occupational Disease Insurance Fund. Work-related accidents are something no one wants, but risks in the work process are inevitable. These incidents can seriously affect the health, income, and even the lives of workers - the main pillars of the family. When facing risks, many people lose their ability to work and cannot continue working to support themselves and their loved ones. In such circumstances, the occupational accident and occupational disease insurance regime becomes a practical support, helping workers have a stable allowance, gradually overcome difficulties, and stabilize their lives.

Ensure good benefits for workers in case of unfortunate risks

According to Vietnam Social Security, in 2024, more than 7,600 employees were newly entitled to monthly and one-time occupational accident and disease benefits. In the first four months of 2025 alone, this number was 2,600 employees... In addition to paying benefits to employees with occupational accidents and diseases, the Occupational Accident and Disease Insurance Fund also allocates billions of VND to support risk prevention activities, career conversion and occupational rehabilitation. This policy is implemented promptly and in accordance with regulations, contributing to ensuring the legitimate rights of employees when they unfortunately have an accident at work.

The occupational accident and occupational disease insurance regime is specifically regulated in Articles 41, 42 and 44 of the Law on Occupational Safety and Health 2015. Accordingly, the occupational accident and occupational disease fund is a component fund of the Social Insurance Fund used to pay and support workers who are unfortunately affected by occupational accidents and occupational diseases. The occupational accident and occupational disease regime aims to share the burden, partially compensate or replace the income of workers who are unfortunately affected by occupational accidents and diseases. With such practical significance, this policy has created a solid foundation, contributing to helping many workers overcome risks and difficulties when suffering from occupational diseases or accidents.

Specifically, employees are entitled to occupational accident benefits when they meet all the prescribed conditions and lose at least 5% of their working capacity due to an accident while at work. In cases of reduced working capacity from 5-30%, they are entitled to a one-time allowance and in cases of reduced working capacity from 31% or more, they are entitled to a monthly allowance.

Service allowance for employees with a working capacity reduction of 81% or more, who are paralyzed by the spine or blind in both eyes or have amputated or paraplegic limbs or are mentally ill, in addition to the prescribed benefits, they are also entitled to a monthly service allowance equal to the basic salary. Employees are also entitled to health insurance when they take leave and receive monthly occupational accident and disease allowances.

In addition, the Law on Occupational Safety and Health also stipulates the responsibilities of employers towards employees suffering from occupational accidents and diseases. For example, timely first aid and emergency care for employees suffering from occupational accidents and advance payment of first aid, emergency care and treatment costs for employees.

Employers must also pay for medical expenses from first aid, emergency care to stable treatment for workers with work-related accidents or occupational diseases: Pay for co-payments and expenses not covered by health insurance for workers participating in health insurance. Pay all medical expenses for workers not participating in health insurance; pay full salary for workers who have to take time off work during treatment and rehabilitation.

In addition, compensation must be paid to employees who have work-related accidents that are not entirely their fault and to employees who suffer from occupational diseases at the following levels: At least 1.5 months' salary if their working capacity is reduced by 5% to 10%; then for every 1% increase, 0.4 months' salary will be added if their working capacity is reduced by 11% to 80%; At least 30 months' salary for employees who have their working capacity reduced by 81% or more, or for relatives of employees who die due to work-related accidents or occupational diseases.

In addition, workers who suffer from occupational accidents and diseases will be supported with medical examinations to detect and assess the level of reduced working capacity due to occupational diseases, even after retirement. Therefore, during the period from the date of retirement, transfer to another job or quitting the job, workers with occupational diseases will still receive support according to regulations...

With the above regulations, the occupational accident and disease insurance fund is truly a "savior" for employees facing unforeseen risks during the working process.

It can be affirmed that when participating in compulsory social insurance, employees are not only protected when they are old, sick, or pregnant, but also have a "safe place to rely on" when they are unfortunately affected by occupational accidents or diseases. This is a humane and sharing policy that not only protects employees but also contributes to social stability and sustainable economic development.

In reality, no one wants to receive benefits from social insurance, especially due to work-related accidents or occupational diseases, because health is always the most precious thing for everyone. However, in the context of increasingly diverse and potentially risky labor, when unfortunate risks occur, the humane policies of the Party and State through the occupational accident and occupational disease insurance regime have become a solid support, helping workers overcome difficulties and gradually stabilize their lives./.

Source: https://baolaichau.vn/xa-hoi/tro-cap-tai-nan-lao-dong-benh-nghe-nghiep-ho-tro-khi-gap-rui-ro-trong-qua-trinh-lam-viec-1351603