Employers are required to pay for occupational examinations for their employees

Colombian employers are obliged to cover the costs of occupational medical evaluations, tests or complementary assessments of their dependent workers, as the Ministry of Labor recalled this on April 6.

The reiteration was made through circular 0015 of March 11, 2022, which was published this Wednesday.

Carlos Ayala, coordinator of occupational medicine at the Ministry of Labor, reminded employees that they should not pay for this type of occupational examination, as it is the duty of employers.

The portfolio recalled that occupational medical examinations allow the evaluation of a worker, in order to monitor exposure to risk factors in the workplace. These are classified into three types, according to resolution 2346 of 2007:

The Ministry of Labour warned that as a police authority for the monitoring and control of labour standards, it can impose fines of up to 500 statutory monthly minimum wages in force on those who violate the stipulations of law.

It also reported that workers who wish to report employers who are not complying with this standard can be contacted via email solucionesdocumental@mintrabajo.gov.co, indicating the name of the employer and the city in which they registered the facts. It is also possible to file the complaint through www.mintrabajo.gov.co, in the Citizen Services menu, option Petitions, Complaints, Complaints, Suggestions and Complaints (PQRSD).

They may also contact any of the Territorial Directorates and Special Offices of the labor portfolio in the different regions of the country.

Employer's Rights

Duties of the Employer

The full payment of the contribution of workers at their service.

A worker who suffers an occupational accident or is diagnosed with an occupational disease is entitled to coverage by the Occupational Risk Manager (ARL) for 100% of the following economic and care benefits:

Workers' rights

Initial emergency care at any IPS in the event of an occupational accident

Medical, surgical, therapeutic and pharmaceutical care provided by the IPS where you are affiliated.

Hospitalization, dentistry, diagnosis, treatment and supply of medicines.

Physical and vocational rehabilitation.

Development and repair of prostheses and orthoses.

Transfer costs under normal conditions necessary for the provision of the above services.

Temporary disability benefit.

Compensation for permanent or partial disability

Invalidity pension

Survivor's pension for the death of the member or pensioner

Funeral assistance to anyone who pays the burial expenses of a member or pensioner

To be incorporated and/or relocated once their recovery and/or rehabilitation processes have been completed.

Duties of workers

To seek comprehensive care of their health.

Provide clear, truthful and complete information about your health status.

Collaborate and ensure compliance with the obligations assumed by Decree 1295 of 1994.

Comply with the rules, regulations and instructions of the company's occupational health programs.

Participate in the prevention of occupational risks through the Joint Occupational Health Committees or Occupational Watchmen.

Disability pensioners under the General Occupational Risk System must keep up-to-date information in the ARL about their address, telephone number and other information used to carry out examination visits.

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