In 2021, the IESS paid 19% less in monetary sickness benefits

Two weeks ago, Patricia underwent a PCR test to find out if she was infected with the COVID-19 virus. The test was performed after three days of intense fever and sore throat.

With the positive result, he went to the Hospital Teodoro Maldonado Carbo in the south of Guayaquil to request a medical certificate and to indicate the days of rest. However, upon receiving the document, he noticed that an epidemiological condition of isolation was ruled, but a medical rest was not prescribed.

“I presented it at work and the head of Human Resources explained to me that the certificate was not used for sick pay, and that the rest days I took (which were going to be three) could be taken on vacation,” he said.

Similarly, Nicole received her medical certificate from a private clinic in December, but no bed rest was prescribed. She did not get the virus, rather she had an acute bacterial bronchitis that made it impossible for him to speak.

The 29-year-old girl reported that in her case she preferred to telework. “The company gave two options so that you can take rest after validating the certificate at the IESS: take vacations or deduct from your salary for days not worked,” she said, adding that she was requested an additional diagnosis with the occupational doctor of the company to verify the disease.

He says that, despite having completed the procedure in person at the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS) and having a new assessment of the disease, the diagnosis did not allow him days off.

This is required in order to access the IESS sickness subsidy

The IESS explained that there is a difference Come in repose Y isolation. For example, in the context of the pandemic, affiliates infected with COVID-19 who are granted status of isolation are those who represent a risk of spreading the virus to other employees. In addition, most of them are asymptomatic, so they can telecommute.

Instead, those who are prescribed repose It is because it is verified, with a medical assessment, that the symptoms of the disease they suffer from prevents them from carrying out their activities. The latter is the one that is subsidized.

Payment of monetary subsidy

In all of 2021, the IESS issued 402,387 certificates and paid $64.6 million in monetary subsidies. The figure is 19% lower than that of 2020 ($ 80.1 million), the most critical year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and also 28% lower than in 2019, the pre-pandemic year.

Last year, the contingency of general illness was the one that was subsidized the most (those infected by the virus are included there), with $44.1 million paid, followed by maternity and catastrophic illnesses. People between 30 and 39 years old, especially from the private sector, were the ones who most accessed the payment of subsidies in 2021.

For Rodrigo Ibarra, president of the Ecuadorian Association of Actuaries, the drop in the amount paid by the IESS for subsidies is due, first, to the fact that not all claims are registered as of December 31, 2021. That is, there are subsidies that have not been paid or claimed.

Another factor sustaining the decline, he points out, is that affiliates they avoid going to medical centers for fear of getting infected while the procedures for obtaining certificates are being carried out. This despite the fact that the IESS recommends that a third party can perform the procedure. In fact, some affiliates choose to cross rest days with vacations to avoid the face-to-face procedure to validate the prescribed rest.

Ibarra also infers that the decrease in the payment of subsidies is also explained by the lack of liquidity that the IESS is going through.

In 2021, the 61,5 % of the value of certificates was allocated to the provinces of Guayas and Pichincha.

The labor lawyer Iván Nolivos He said that, in the last year, there has been a lot of confusion about access to sick pay. “Some employees believe that contracting the virus and having a test detailing a positive for COVID-19 gives them time off and the subsidy is paid, but this is not the case.”

Nolivos pointed out that, in fact, the employer has the right, at any time, to verify the non-professional illness of the worker through a doctor designated by him.

What is the monetary subsidy?

The monetary subsidy It is a value that every member can access when he or she is unable to work due to illness or maternity. The IESS recognizes the values ​​for monetary subsidies when the contribution requirements are met (six continuous months of 30 days) and there is confirmation of the disease.

On the fourth day and up to the 70th, you have the right to receive from the IESS 75% of the average of the last three salaries reported before the onset of the disease. From day 71 to day 182, receive 66% of the average of the last three salaries reported before the onset of the disease.

The employer is responsible for paying 50% of the worker’s wages or salary during the first three days of illness. (I)