Improving the law on the prevention and control of occupational diseases in China: an employer-supporting management perspective

Abstract

Abstract A healthy workforce is fundamental for China to pursue its Healthy China 2030 strategy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Occupational Diseases (the Chinese OD Law), which has been amended four times since its adoption in 2002, is the core and cornerstone of the entire regulatory system for occupational health. In addition to discussing the new institutional reforms, which are relevant to China's regulatory system for occupational diseases (ODs) because of their marked impact on healthcare system reform, we present further evidence, mainly drawn from desk and field research. Our study focuses on the barriers that employers face in complying with the Chinese OD Law and explores the optimized employer-initiated management system, which requires further amendments to the Chinese OD Law, as the State Council of China has prioritized this issue as a top challenge. We first summarize the key characteristics of the Chinese OD Law and illustrate employers' essential obligations, and then analyze the critical challenges that employers face regarding OD prevention and control. We demonstrate good practices and experiences in China, and, finally, propose recommendations for further amendments to the Chinese OD Law in the near future. These recommendations can be achieved only through integrating the healthcare system reform with mechanism innovation.