State Council: traffic accidents on commute not work-related

(Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-24 18:50

Injuries from traffic accidents on the way to or from work will no longer be covered under work-related injury insurance, according to draft regulations published by the State Council, China's cabinet, on Friday for public review.

The State Council explained that regular traffic insurance would cover accidents, so the new regulations would not leave people without coverage. In addition, the Council said that defining "on the way between home and office" was difficult, and noted that many other countries do not consider traffic injuries sustained on the way to or from the office work-related. Moreover, the Council argued, “on the way to or from work” does not constitute being in the workplace, which what workplace insurance was intended to cover in the first place.

However, an online survey on a portal website Friday afternoon showed that 78.06% of the 5,593 respondents believe an "injury suffered from the collision involving motor vehicles on the way between home and office" is in fact work-related injury.