That is what the FNV and the General Education Association (AOb) say. About 70,000 employees in the Netherlands are struggling with lung covid and have been ill for more than three months, RTL Z reported yesterday. A third of employees with long covid are not better even after a year.
The unions hold the government partly responsible for the health complaints, because schools initially remained open and because health care workers did not receive the proper protective equipment.
Government liable
“Many healthcare and education employees have been infected at work and are now suffering financial damage as a result. With a contribution from a government fund, the heroes who sacrificed their health finally get recognition for their situation,” says Kitty Jong of FNV.
The FNV threatens to hold the government liable for the damage if the fund for people with long covid is not established.
It was previously announced that employers hardly make use of a scheme that allows sick care employees who contracted lung covid during their work to remain in service.
Long-term illness
At least 113 healthcare workers have been fired. At least another 98 employees have been given notice of dismissal. We spoke earlier with healthcare worker Mariska, who threatens to become incapacitated for work due to long covid:
