Stockholm, March 16 (TIWN) The number of work-related illnesses nearly doubled in Sweden last year, with many of the cases related to Covid-19, according to official figures.

The figures released by the Swedish Work Environment Authority on Monday revealed that the increase was 28 per cent among men and 119 per cent among women, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Fighting the effects of the pandemic is an important gender equality issue," Minister of Employment Eva Nordmark at a press conference.

"I cannot stress enough that employers must take full responsibility and do whatever is necessary to reduce the spread of infection."