New state law declares COVID-19 an official work hazzard
Yucatán’s congress has amended state labour laws to include risk of contracting COVID-19 as an official work hazzard.
According to this new law, employees who have contracted COVID-19 while on the job, are entitled to time off for recovery with full compensation.
“It is vital that we protect workers, especially those who are most vulnerable. This law seeks to ensure that nobody loses pay because they got sick on the job,” said state Congressman Manuel Armando Díaz.
Earlier: Protestors in the social event industry demand return to work
All workplaces are legally obliged to protect workers and the public at large, by taking measures such as implementing social distancing guidelines and providing free antibacterial gel.
Some industries have fared better than others when adjusting to new rules and regulations. For instance, sectors of the economy such as construction and food delivery appear to be thriving. However, industries such as tourism and entertainment continue to operate at minimal levels, while accumulating historic losses.
“Many hotel owners are using up their savings to keep their businesses open and continue to pay their employees. These efforts can only be described as titanic,” said Armando Bojórquez Patrón, president of Latin America’s Association for Tourism and Culture.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer and adventure leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
