Statement on COVID-19 Workers’ Comp reinstatement

Feb 3 2022

Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham issued the following statement on passage of legislation reestablishing rules to make healthcare workers and first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19 eligible for workers’ compensation benefits based on the presumption they contracted virus from work:

“The COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious danger for countless working Minnesotans on the front lines. Reinstating the presumption, something the Minnesota AFL-CIO has consistently advocated for, is the right thing for lawmakers to do.

“We want to thank Rep. Wolgamott, Sen. Howe, and both the Labor and business representatives on the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council for coming together in a bipartisan win for workers.

“While this legislation is certainly good news, overall workers’ compensation eligibility needs to be expanded, especially to more essential workers unable to do their jobs remotely.”

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