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Burundi updates list of occupational diseases to better protect workers and guarantee their right to a safe work environment

In a significant move to enhance social protection, Burundi's tripartite partners have requested support to update the occupational diseases list used by the National Social Security Institute (INSS) and the National Pension and Occupational Hazards Authority (ONPR). This list, originally adopted in 1977, no longer reflects the realities of the modern labour market, leading to under-reporting of occupational diseases and reduced coverage for beneficiaries.

To address this, the International Labour Organization (ILO) organized a capacity-building workshop in July 2023. The workshop brought together 35 participants from seven ministries, including the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Social Affairs, among others. Representatives from the Employers' Association of Burundi (AEB), the Confederation of Burundi Trade Unions (COSYBU), the National Social Dialogue Commission (CNDS), and four social security bodies also participated. The event received technical support from ILO Occupational Safety and Health specialists from Pretoria and Geneva.

As a result of these efforts, a tripartite technical committee was established by ministerial ordinance on 16 October 2023. This committee, comprising 18 members from various ministries, social security bodies, and professional associations, was tasked with updating the occupational diseases list. The committee held two technical retreats in February and March 2024, where they prepared a draft revised list.

The draft list was validated during a two-day workshop in Bujumbura from 3-4 December 2024. It is now set to be submitted to the National Labour Council for adoption and is expected to be signed jointly by the ministers in charge of health and social protection by February 2025.

This update is a crucial step towards ensuring better protection and coverage for workers in Burundi, aligning the occupational diseases list with current labour market conditions.