Abroad, Covid-19 News|12/06/20

BELGIUM: compensation for volonteer jobseekers who died as a result of Covid-19

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > BELGIUM: compensation for volonteer jobseekers who died as a result of Covid-19

By creating a “Volunteers Covid-19 Fund” within Fedris, the federal government is now making it possible to provide compensation in the event of the death of jobbers who help in fighting against Covid-19.

Some organizations – the Red Cross, food banks, nursing homes, hospitals – call on many volunteers to help with their daily operations. Given the large number of elderly and therefore at-risk volunteers, they have had to call on student jobseekers. However, these students were not insured if they were infected with the virus.

In practice, a compensation will be paid to certain relatives of the victim in case of death caused by the Covid-19 and will take the form of a lump sum: €18,651 to the partner, €9,325.50 to the ex-partner benefiting from alimony, €15,542.50 per child benefiting from family allowances. In addition, €1,020 may be paid to the person who paid the funeral expenses.

This possibility of compensation applies to deaths occurring between 10 March and 1 July 2020. Beyond this period, proof must be provided that the volunteer contracted the Covid-19 before 1 July 2020. This period may be extended depending on the evolution of the health situation in Belgium.

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