Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention.  In reply to the Committee’s previous comments concerning the cost sharing by the victims of employment accidents in the cost of drugs, medicines and appliances prescribed for outpatients, the Government repeats the argument that the current arrangements for exemption from cost sharing are considered satisfactory in so far as they protect victims of occupational accidents who may have difficulty in meeting the cost of prescription charges. The Committee once again reminds the Government that any provision envisaging the sharing by the victim of an occupational accident in the cost of prescribed drugs, medicines and artificial limbs and surgical appliances is contrary to the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention. These Articles are intended to prevent workers from having to bear the financial costs resulting from employment injury. In these conditions, the Committee is bound to hope once again that the Government will be able to reconsider this question and take the necessary measures to give full effect to the Convention on these points. In this respect, it also requests the Government to refer to the observation concerning the application of the Convention by the United Kingdom.