Mexico City, January 14.- Given "the concern generated by the refusal of some employers to accept" COVID leave, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) and the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) have asked employers to recognize this procedure so that workers can access disability benefits in the event of infection.
"This isn't a matter of opinion, it's a legal issue. We call on all employers in Mexico to take this into account," stressed IMSS director Zoé Robledo in a video posted on his social media accounts.
He expressed his gratitude for the joint work with the STPS (State Workers' Commissions) to identify cases where proof of disability is required, "or where they are simply being told that a COVID permit isn't sufficient . "
The STPS announced the launch of a series of actions and a joint strategy to prevent such rejection. The agency stated that if employers "are negligent," complaints may be filed with the Federal Workers' Defense Attorney's Office, which "will determine whether the matter will be referred to the Inspections Directorate (of the ministry) to apply the corresponding sanctions."
Robledo reported that 66.9 percent of the people who came in for rapid tests in December and January were workers . "If we have a line of 10 people, seven are workers seeking the test to process their disability. They no longer have to do that."
The World Health Organization, he emphasized, "has been very clear that we must have rational use of testing for vulnerable groups, the elderly, those with comorbidities, or those who are going to be hospitalized for other reasons and require testing. We must raise awareness."
The IMSS director recalled that the Covid permit was implemented in March 2020 to break the chain of infection and prevent people from having to go in person for consultations and then go to banks to collect their disability benefits.
"These have been very difficult times. Employers have been very supportive, and we hope this time is no exception. Therefore, we jointly call for empathy with workers," the STPS stated.
