KATHMANDU, Aug 12: For the first time, the Government of Nepal (GoN) has legally recognized a range of work-related illnesses as “occupational diseases.”
The Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Social Security has published an official list of such diseases in the Nepal Gazette under the Labour Regulations, 2075. These are categorized into eight groups, addressing health problems caused by workplace exposure to dust, chemicals, noise, extreme temperatures, biological agents and other hazards.
The list categorizes these diseases into eight groups, including chemical-related illnesses caused by substances such as chromium, lead, mercury, benzene, sulfur oxides, chlorine, and certain pharmaceuticals; physical-agent-related illnesses like hearing loss, radiation effects, and extreme temperature-related conditions; biological-agent-related diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, brucellosis, anthrax, tetanus, tuberculosis, and leptospirosis; respiratory diseases including pneumoconiosis, siderosis, bagassosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); skin diseases like allergic reactions and dermatitis caused by chemical contact; musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, and meniscus injuries; mental and behavioral disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) linked to workplace accidents or violence; and occupational cancers caused by asbestos, chromium, coal tar, benzene, ionizing radiation, wood dust, arsenic, cadmium and other carcinogens.
Under the Labour Act, 2074, employers are required to cover treatment costs for affected workers as prescribed, and in cases where the disease is incurable, they must provide the designated compensation, a move that is expected to strengthen workers’ health rights and increase employer accountability for workplace safety.