The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has adopted, in the final reading, amendments to the law "On compulsory insurance against loss of professional working capacity as a result of industrial accidents and occupational diseases." The new legislation shifts the criteria for insurance payments from the determination of disability to the degree of loss of professional working capacity.
According to the "Operative Information Center-OMM", the draft law was discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament's extraordinary session. The amendments aim to standardize the evaluation of insurance events, ensuring that one-time insurance payments are directly linked to the percentage of professional capacity lost, rather than a general disability assessment.
Under the new regulations, one-time insurance payments will be issued when the degree of loss of professional working capacity is determined without a specified date for a follow-up medical examination. This approach aligns with the requirements of Article 4 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health.
Furthermore, the legislation introduces a mechanism for the compulsory insurance of volunteers participating in voluntary activities. The new Article 14.2-1 stipulates that insurance premiums for volunteers must be paid within 15 business days from the effective date of their contract. For students undergoing industrial training, this period commences from the start date of their internship.
To ensure the financial stability of the insurance fund and maintain a balanced payment system, the law introduces a cap on one-time insurance payments. The calculated amount will not exceed 1,000 times the minimum monthly wage. Officials emphasized that this regulation is essential for managing risks and ensuring the insurer's ability to meet obligations to policyholders, preventing potential instability within the insurance system.
The bill was put to a vote and adopted in the third reading following extensive parliamentary discussion.
