The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has adopted, in the first reading, legislative amendments that shift the basis for insurance payments from the determination of general disability to the degree of loss of professional working capacity.
According to the "Operative Information Center-OMM", these changes to the Law "On Compulsory Insurance Against Loss of Professional Working Capacity as a Result of Occupational Accidents and Occupational Diseases" were discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament's extraordinary session.
It was noted that, under the current law, the degree of loss of professional working capacity is defined as the percentage of continuous loss of professional ability that an insured person possessed prior to the insurance event. The proposed amendment aims to standardize the evaluation process by linking one-time insurance payments directly to this loss of professional capacity, rather than relying on the determination of general disability status. This ensures that payments are triggered when the loss of professional capacity is determined without a specified re-examination period. The concept of loss of professional working capacity inherently encompasses the loss of bodily functions associated with disability.
The proposed changes also align with the requirements of Article 4 of the International Labour Organization's Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.
Furthermore, the draft law addresses the insurance of volunteers involved in voluntary activities, for whom payment mechanisms were previously undefined. A new article, 14.2-1, proposes that insurance premiums for volunteers be paid within 15 business days from the effective date of their contract. For students undergoing industrial training, the payment period is set to begin from the start date of their internship.
To ensure the stability of the insurance fund and maintain a balanced payment structure between high-income and middle-income earners, the draft also proposes capping one-time insurance payments at 1,000 times the minimum monthly wage. Officials emphasized that this cap is crucial for managing risks and defining the insurer's liability, preventing potential instability in the insurance system that could hinder the fulfillment of obligations to insured individuals.
Following the discussions, the draft law was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading.
