In a significant move toward enhancing workplace health and safety compliance, the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security (MOLESS) has, for the first time, published an official List of Occupational Diseases through the Nepal Gazette on August 11, 2025.

This announcement, issued pursuant to Rule 52(1) of the Labor Regulation, 2075 (2018), marks a major step in the operationalization of Section 82 of the Labor Act, 2074 (2017) providing a clear legal framework to identify, compensate, and manage occupational illnesses arising in the course of employment.

Legal Framework and Context

Under Section 82 of the Labor Act, 2074, if an employee contracts a prescribed occupational disease during employment, the employer is legally obligated to bear all prescribed medical treatment costs and, in the case of an incurable or permanent disease, to provide statutory compensation as defined by the Ministry.

Further, Rule 52 of the Labor Regulation, 2075 authorizes the Government of Nepal to officially classify occupational diseases and define the process for determining whether an employee’s condition qualifies as such.

Where a dispute arises regarding the classification of a disease, the concerned worker may file an application with the Labor Office, prompting the formation of an expert medical committee by the Government to verify the case in line with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. Once verified, the employer is bound to pay for treatment, compensation, and other prescribed benefits.

Highlights of the New Gazette Notice

The newly published Notice establishes an exhaustive list of 48 occupational diseases, categorized in accordance with the ILO’s List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No. 194). It provides, for each disease, the causative agent, and the types of employment in which it is most likely to occur.

The classification broadly covers the following categories:

1. Occupational Diseases Caused by Exposure to Agents Arising from Work Activities

• Diseases caused by chemical agents
• Diseases caused by physical agents
• Infectious or parasitic diseases caused by biological exposure

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2. Occupational Diseases by Target Organ Systems

• Respiratory diseases
• Skin diseases
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Mental and behavioral disorders

3. Occupational Cancers

• Cancers linked to prolonged exposure to carcinogenic substances or industrial processes.

The notice has been published in bilingual format (Nepali and English), ensuring accessibility to both local employers and international organizations operating in Nepal.

Conclusion

The publication of the List of Occupational Diseases (August 2025) is a long-awaited development in Nepal’s labor law regime. It strengthens the country’s occupational health infrastructure and provides a concrete pathway for enforcement of workers’ rights under the Labor Act.

Going forward, the effectiveness of this reform will depend on the capacity of labor authorities, awareness among enterprises, and the rigorous enforcement of employer obligations. Nevertheless, this marks a promising advancement toward a safer, fairer, and more accountable working environment in Nepal.

Disclaimer

This publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific guidance on compliance with the Labor Act, 2074 or the Occupational Diseases Notice, please contact S & S Jurists or a qualified labor law professional.