The coronavirus pandemic, which affected the entire world and led to many deaths and illnesses, has now been recognized as an occupational disease. Following discussions in the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Health Committee, it was determined that when coronavirus infects healthcare workers in the course of their duties, the protections and benefits provided for occupational diseases will apply.
Coronavirus Classified as an Occupational Disease
The scope of occupational diseases has been expanded, and as a result of deliberations in the Turkish Parliament, coronavirus has been officially accepted as an occupational disease. This decision is particularly important for those who had to continue working during the outbreak, since it ensures that illnesses contracted due to the job will be assessed and handled under occupational disease provisions.
From the beginning of the outbreak, workers—especially those in healthcare—faced elevated risks. Research indicates that the virus often spreads in work environments, with many healthcare professionals contracting the virus in hospitals and then potentially spreading it to their families and communities. Recognizing coronavirus as an occupational disease provides important legal and social advantages for affected workers.
In a statement released by the Health and Social Service Workers’ Union (SES), it was announced that coronavirus is now regarded as an occupational disease. The announcement is especially significant for the healthcare personnel who worked on the front lines of the pandemic response. Because healthcare workers made extraordinary efforts and faced the highest exposure, this designation grants them important social protections and benefits.
Union Announces Occupational Disease Status
The Health and Social Service Workers’ Union clarified that an important decision was reached regarding workplace protections tied to coronavirus. Representatives from all parties agreed to designate coronavirus as an occupational disease for healthcare workers. It was also noted that further discussions with the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services will take place soon to address implementation details.
The union emphasized that recognizing coronavirus as an occupational disease will bring substantial benefits to health and social service workers, improving their access to various social rights and contributing to better working conditions.
What Is an Occupational Disease and When Is It Recognized?
An occupational disease refers to illnesses caused by conditions or factors present in the workplace. Under relevant labor law, an occupational disease is defined as a temporary or permanent illness, bodily injury, or psychological impairment resulting from the nature of the work, repeated exposure, or specific working conditions.
Under Law No. 5510, if a worker develops a health-threatening condition or sustains an injury during working hours or within workplace boundaries due to their working conditions, that condition can be classified as an occupational disease, entitling the worker to certain social benefits. The criteria for recognizing an occupational disease are broadly defined; in some cases, even events such as a heart attack occurring at the workplace can qualify.
For some time, there was widespread uncertainty about whether the coronavirus would be classified as an occupational disease. Healthcare workers were particularly affected because their frontline role put them at higher risk of infection, illness, and in some tragic cases, death.
Under the current decision, coronavirus is recognized as an occupational disease specifically for healthcare workers. As a result, the same social rights that apply to other occupational diseases will be available to healthcare personnel who contract the virus through their work. At this stage, coronavirus is not being recognized as an occupational disease for other professions.