By: Tatiana Rojas, Coordinator of CONATRADO Chile and HNI Executive Committee member
Within the framework of modernizing Law 16,744 on occupational accidents in Chile, CONATRADO and other trade union organizations have initiated a government advocacy action plan to ensure that the modernization aligns with workers’ interests.
In November, CONATRADO representatives held a meeting with the president of the Working Committee, Congressman Luis Cuello, to present the workers’ perspective on deregulated employment related to the single contribution system, which focuses specifically on occupational accidents and diseases.
The importance of making this large contingent of workers in unregulated employment visible was emphasized. It was also noted that the current national policy’s primary objective is to promote the inclusion of self-employed and informal economy workers in the social security system. In this context, insurance against occupational accidents and diseases can serve as a gateway and an awareness-raising mechanism for more workers to recognize and value the benefits provided by the occupational health system.
On the other hand, it was pointed out that this modernization proposal is especially significant because the vast majority of beneficiaries would be women, who represent the predominant group in the deregulated employment sector. Many women are often compelled to remain at home, taking on care work and household responsibilities.
The president of the Committee committed to discussing the issue with his party’s deputies and to meeting again with CONATRADO in the Committee so that the organization can present when the discussion of the bill to modernize Law 16,744 begins.
