Post-injury health and economic recovery among agricultural workers

Agricultural workers may face slower recovery after occupational injury because the specific conditions of agricultural work are not fully reflected in existing protection systems. This study examines whether workers injured in agriculture experience slower recovery than workers injured in other industries. Using workers’ compensation panel data from the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service, random-effects and panel simultaneous equations models were used to analyse work performance capability and labour income after injury. The results indicate that injured agricultural workers show lower work performance capability and weaker income recovery than workers in other industries. These findings suggest the need for agriculture-specific rehabilitation and return-to-work support within workers’ compensation systems.