- The objective is to strengthen the protection of people against possible effects on their health due to their work activities.
- The recent modification establishes that 194 occupational diseases and 524 permanent disabilities are now recognized in Mexico.
- It was also authorized that the Catalog of Certificates for the Assessment of Occupational Illnesses be reviewed at least every five years.
The occupational diseases They are described as any pathological state derived from the continued action of a cause that has its origin or motive at work. But the most important thing is that for the first time in more than 50 years, the official list recognized in Mexico was updated.
The Senate supported, with 105 votes, the minutes sent by the Chamber of Deputies to reform articles 513, 514 and 515 of the Federal Labor Law. With this, it seeks to strengthen the protection of workers against possible effects on their health, due to the activities of their work.
The new occupational diseases that are now recognized
The reform incorporates infectious and parasitic pathologies, among which the pandemic disease due to COVID-19. Some also stand out mental disorders such as anxiety, that associated with severe stress, adaptation and depression.
In addition, they highlighted the observance of conditions such as cancer and those that are typical of women, such as abortions and endometriosismostly.
As of this update sent to the federal Executive, the Table for the Valuation of Permanent Disabilities It is expanded from 409 to 524 types of injuries resulting from work risks.
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For his part, Senator Napoleón Gómez Urrutia said that the origin of this ruling lies in an initiative by the head of the federal Executive, which seeks to vindicate the labor dignity of the workers of Mexico.
The president of the Labor and Social Welfare Commission added that the project makes visible the importance of the health of all workers and ensures the conditions that prioritize their comprehensive well-being.
“These modifications present a great advance in labor matters, because today, for more than 50 years, a government is once again paying attention to this important issue, and the regulatory framework is harmonized with the World Health Organization, which will contribute to granting social justice”.
Gómez Urrutia specified that currently the Federal Labor Law contemplates 61 occupational diseasesas well as a list of 409 permanent disabilities, so with the approval of this opinion we recognize 194 illnesses and 524 permanent disabilities.
What diseases are missing to be included?
While Senator Antonio García Conejo presented a point of agreement to include the renal insufficiency in the Table of Occupational Diseasessince it is a chronic-degenerative disease “that causes people to be unable to work.”
In addition, he explained that, by not having the necessary resources to undergo hemodialysis or dialysis, the death rate from this disease increases. For this reason, he considered it necessary to consider this condition in the opinion.
The document establishes that the disease tables, as well as the Catalog of Certificates for the Assessment of Occupational Illnesseswill be reviewed, at least every five years, from its publication or when there are studies and research that justify it.
Also read:
The 23 new occupational diseases that could be approved in Mexico: From depression to endometriosis
The most common occupational diseases in Mexico
UNAM creates the first Mexican Atlas of Infectious Diseases: You can consult it here