On 29 July,  China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Health Commission issued an ‘urgent’ directive aimed at ‘resolutely’ combating employment discrimination against those who have recovered from Covid-19. Indeed, given that even slightest sign of a positive Covid test can result in all business activities ceasing, many employers appear to have developing their own workplace-based zero tolerance illness policies which is translating into a form of  punitive stigmatisation of those who have previously caught and recovered from Covid.

Argentina’s centre-left ruling government (centre-left) has confirmed it is the definitive end for the ‘double indemnity’ provision that was in place for employment dismissals and which expired on 30 June 2022. The measure dates from 13 December 2019 and was taken amid an economic recession with the aim of curbing employment layoffs. To this end, it provided that in the event of ‘unfair’ dismissals workers should receive twice the amount of compensation to which s/he was entitled.

This unprecedented decision by a Scottish employment tribunal, following an unfair dismissal claim lodged by an employee, is something companies should keep an eye on, not least since until this point the government had been recommending employers not to consider long Covid as a disability and instead to operate on a case-by-case basis.  With this latest employment tribunal decision, the complainant employee will be able to progress his claim and sue his employer for wrongful dismissal.

On Friday 18 March, the Bundestag will vote on an amendment to the Infection Protection Act, which will formalise the rules for lifting many of the protective measures against Covid-19, planned for 20 March. The decision to lift these measures came at the start of the month, at a conference that brought together representatives of Germany’s federal government and the Länder.