The list of occupational hazards that compel compensation has been comprehensively revised following a groundbreaking research program, aiming to align with an evolving work environment that poses emerging threats, including mental health issues and stress.

A bill under the Ministry of Labour & Skills is underway with 25 additional worker's compensation claims, taking inspiration from a Milan University study conducted under the auspices of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The research was done after looking at emerging industry trends across 13 sub-Saharan countries using clinical and aetiological diagnosis. While the Milan program posed 55 suggestions for inclusion into the occupational hazard list, officials at the Ministry considered the ones with the likelihood of occurrence in Ethiopia.

"The previous system has serious setbacks in compensating victims," said Tiumezgi Berhe, labour inspection head at the Ministry.

He primarily works on occupational health and emphasises the importance of expanding the list to address the evolving needs of workers.

"Employment risks are not well understood," he told Fortune.

Worldwide, nearly 350,000 workplace fatalities occur annually, while 300 million workplace injuries are so severe that they require multiple health professionals to determine if they are work-related.

Demissew Hailemariam, occupation safety health expert at the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union (CETU), stresses the importance of upgrading laws and standards to meet new occupational risks that arise within the labour market.

"Guidelines to prevent injuries also need to be crafted," he told Fortune.

Demissew indicated the role of expanding the occupational hazard list in prompting regular and expansive health checkups by employees. He indicated that the lull implementation of the compensation system over the past several years has created growing pressure for workers dealing with dangers.

The updated list includes injuries and diseases induced by chemical, physical, and biological agents, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal diseases, along with mental and behavioural issues.

While the risk of affording claims and overreporting are issues, employers represented through the Confederation of Ethiopian Employers Association (CEEA) have received the pending reforms with open arms.

Acting Executive Director Saud Mohammed recommends the creation of a proper database by the government which gives both employers and employees clarity in case of workplace accidents.

"Annual collection of occupational injury data needs to be started," he told Fortune while recognising the reform approach as "a positive step".

Evaluations on the affordability had been given by the Private Organizations Employees' Social Security Administration (POESSA) which is mandated to handle compensation. It has registered over 215,000 organisations with around 1.8 million employees functioning under the oversight of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) since last year.

Private employers are required to provide employee information to the Administration, which collected 20 billion Br last year, within two months of employment.