Compensation for asbestos victims: opening of the consultation procedure
Suva should be able to provide financial support to the Foundation Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims. On November 22, the Federal Council submitted the inclusion of a new article in the Accident Insurance Act (UVG) for consultation.
The Foundation Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims (EFA) was established to provide financial compensation to people with asbestos-related diseases. In recent years, however, the financing of this foundation has proved increasingly difficult, as the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) writes in the press release. In order to secure the EFA in the long term, a new legal basis is to be created so that Suva can make these payments.
According to the new Article 67b UVG, any funding by Suva will be provided exclusively from the surplus income from insurance against occupational accidents and illnesses, according to the FOPH. The Suva Council has the exclusive authority to decide whether and to what extent the EFA Foundation should be financially supported.
Additional financial resources required
Since 2020, it has no longer been possible to receive larger grants for asbestos victims, although these would be necessary in view of the persistently high number of cases, writes the FOPH. In order to be able to continue the EFA Foundation until 2030, additional financial resources amounting to CHF 25 to 50 million are required. This increased financial requirement is due in particular to the amendment to Article 36 of the Ordinance on Accident Insurance (UVV), which came into force on January 1, 2017.
due. An amendment to the law is intended to reduce Suva's payments to the EFA Foundation.
enable the new system. Accordingly, the Federal Council opened a consultation in November.
