Employment and working conditions have powerful effects on the quality of health. A good working condition aims to provide social protection and status, personal development opportunities, and protection from physical and psychosocial hazards. In order to be able to maintain a sustainable household income, productivity and economic development, the health of workers is an essential prerequisite. Thus, an important function of the health services is to restore and maintain working capacity. Enacting a strong domestic legislation for the protection of workplace health and safety is also important for the country as workers are the backbone of any economy and will drive it forward.
In Myanmar, the enactment of the Occupational Health & Safety Law 2019 (“OHSL”) is a major step towards a safer workplace environment. Previously, there was no specific law concerning occupational health and safety and the Factory Act 1951 was used as the principal legislation regarding worksite safety and health measure. The draft law was issued in 2017 with the purpose to effectively implement measures related to safety and health at every industry, prevent by the workplace accidents and occupational diseases and set occupational safety and health standards.
On 15 March 2019, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw enacted the OHSL, however it has yet to come into force pending notification by the President. The new law is set to play a pivotal role in preventing workplace injuries, diseases and deaths with the aim to provide a framework for coordinated action across the different sectors. Anyone who currently carries out or wishes to start establishing a business in any industries provided under the OHSL will need to register with the Factories and General Labour Laws Inspection Department (“the Department”) for the purpose of safety and health. The law applies to government agencies, department and organisations, institutions, co-operatives, both domestic and foreign companies and joint-ventures. This includes the hospitality, transport, construction, retail, services and manufacturing industries.
Offences and penalties under the OHSL
| Section | Relevant Person | Offences | Penalties Either imprisonment or fine or both | |
| Imprisonment | Fine (MMK) | |||
| 53 | Employer | Failure to:
| Maximum three months | Minimum 1 million to maximum 5 million |
| 57 | Employer | Failure to inform of accidents, dangerous occurrences, occupational diseases, occupational poisoning, investigation and reporting | Maximum one month | Minimum 2 million |
| 61 (a) | Employer | Failure to obey the order of Inspectors to temporarily stop work and terms and conditions and instructions issued by the Inspector | Maximum three months | Minimum 3 million to maximum 5 million |
| 61 (b) | Employer | In the case of continuing offence after sentencing under section 61(a) | – | 100,000 per day |
| 62 | Employer | Violate the provisions regarding working hours in hazardous industries and failure to shoulder any expenditure for occupational health and safety measures | Maximum three months | Minimum 2 million to maximum 5 million |
| 54 | Worker | Failure to follow the workers’ duties and obligations | – | Maximum 30,000
|
| 55 | Worker | Failure to:
| Maximum three months | Maximum 100,000 |
| 52 | Occupational Health and Safety Officer | Failure to obey regulations, orders, instructions and procedures issued under this law | Maximum three months | Minimum 500,000 to maximum 1 million |
| 56 | Manufacturer, Importer, install or demolish and constructor | Failure to follow obligations | Maximum three months | Minimum 1,000,000 to maximum 5 million |
| 58 | Registered/ Certified doctor | Failure to submit a report relating to the occupational disease to relevant employer, department and a copy to Ministry of Health and Sport | – | Maximum 500,000
|
| 59 (a) | Authorised examiner | Failure to obey the terms and conditions issued by the Department | Maximum three months | Minimum 1 million to maximum 5 million |
| 59 (b) | Training provider | Failure to obey the terms and conditions issued by the Department | – | Minimum 500,000 to maximum 1 million |
| 59 (c) | Founder of Training Institute | Failure to obey the terms and conditions issued by the Department | – | Minimum 1 million to maximum 5 million |
| 64 | Chief Inspector and Inspectors | Holds any position in the business, plant, factory and industry and failed to disclose any confidential matter which has come to his knowledge while performing duties under this law (except as witness during court proceeding) | Maximum three months | Minimum 500,000 to maximum 1.5 million |
| 60 | Whoever | Failure to register with the Department and inform regarding to the construction, installation, expansion and demolition | – | Minimum 1 million to maximum 5 million |
| 60 | Whoever | Acting as authorised examiner or training provider and establish a training institute without any certificate of approval issued by the Director General | Maximum three months | Minimum 5 million to maximum 10 million |
| 63 | Whoever | Without the consent of the Chief Inspector, remove, destroy, add, replace or alter whole or any part of the machineries, equipment, layout or substances which contributed to the cause of any accident | Maximum three months | Minimum 3 million to maximum 10 million |
| 65 | Whoever | Whoever violates any provisions of any regulations and rules made under the OHSL | Maximum three months | Minimum 20 million |
