The Process of Compensation of Occupational Diseases in Special Populations: Public Officials, Private School Teachers and Staff, Soldiers, Fishing Crews, and Farmers

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the compensation and development direction of occupational accidents including occupational diseases of workers who do not apply industrial accident compensation insurance. METHODS: We reviewed laws and related articles about compensation for occupational accidents of public officials, private school teachers and staff, soldiers, fishermen, and farmers, and compared each system and presented problems and solutions. RESULTS: Public officials, private school teachers and staff, and soldiers were provided compensation for the occupational accidents by the state in the form of pensions. Safety accident insurance for farmers was a form of voluntary subscription, but the individual had to pay the remaining premiums even though there were over half of the national burden. Although there were differences in the degree of professionalism in approval system of occupational accidents in the fields of public officials, private school teachers and staff, and soldiers, there was a deliberative body composed of experts, but fishermen and farmers were in fact considering deliberations on the compensation of insurance companies. Like the industrial accident compensation insurance, the prevention fund was not legally enforced in all fields. CONCLUSION: Processes for compensation for occupational accidents was somewhat similar. However, scientific and rational deliberations were difficult to achieve consistently. There was a lack of systems to prevent disasters and institutionalize rehabilitation for returning to work after a disaster. It is necessary to introduce a consistent system for reasonable compensation, disaster prevention, and return to work according to the risk level of the special population.