The FOA trade union has won just under DKK 500 million (€67m) in compensation for work injuries for its members over the past two years. The payments have gone to social and health workers, childminders, educators and other public employees. While the union is happy about the success of its claims for members it is concerned that this shows the level of physical risk being faced by many workers across the public services. It also points out that the claims are overwhelmingly for physical injury and that the system is not geared up to address psycho-social impacts. FOA argues that employers should be spending more on preventative measures. It also notes that figures from the labour market insurance institution, AES, show that health and social services were the sectors with the highest level of payments in 2020 at DKK 800 million (€107m), well above sectors like construction and industry.
Compensation payments expose high risk working environment
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