Tunisian medical experts have excluded the possibility of adding psychological illnesses, such as stress and burnout, to the national list of occupational diseases, which is set to be revised in three years. This decision was made during the first international meeting on occupational health and safety and the 12th National Congress of Occupational Medicine, held in Tunis. The experts cited the complexity of determining the direct impact of work environment and conditions on mental health.
According to Zied Laadhari, president of the Tunisian Society of Occupational Medicine, psychological illnesses have specific characteristics that make them difficult to manage, particularly in establishing a direct causal link between these disorders and the work environment. Laadhari emphasized that this complexity is a major obstacle to officially recognizing these conditions as occupational diseases. The current list of occupational diseases in Tunisia comprises 86 conditions.
Monia Trabelsi, general medical inspector of labor at the Ministry of Social Affairs, reported a significant increase in stress cases in the workplace. However, she noted that this increase has not translated into a substantial rise in psychological illnesses directly caused by the work climate. Trabelsi emphasized that any future recognition of these conditions would require in-depth scientific studies to analyze their characteristics and establish a direct link with the work environment.
The current national list of occupational diseases in Tunisia includes conditions such as joint and muscular diseases, infectious diseases, and hearing disorders related to exposure to noise in the workplace. Musculoskeletal disorders, which affect joints, muscles, and hand veins, are the most common occupational diseases in Tunisia, accounting for nearly 90% of all reported cases. These conditions are mainly linked to repetitive tasks in industrial units.
Nourredine Khalfaoui, central director of risk management at the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM), stated that occupational diseases continue to increase, despite a decline in work accidents. Khalfaoui emphasized the need to strengthen control over companies' health and safety measures, including the implementation of financial and fiscal incentives. The CNAM plays a legal role in prevention, protection, and control to promote health and safety at work.
The international meeting on occupational health and safety and the 12th National Congress of Occupational Medicine brought together experts to discuss strategies for health and safety at work in Africa. The conference also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on the evolution of professions and the transformation of work systems. Majda Bali, president of the conference, highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences and knowledge to promote health and safety in the workplace.
The conference featured workshops on artificial intelligence, the "One Health" concept, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological illnesses in the workplace. The discussions aimed to provide a platform for experts to share their experiences and formulate proposals to address occupational risks and promote health and safety at work.
Key points
- - Tunisian medical experts have ruled out the possibility of officially recognizing work-related stress and burnout as occupational diseases in the near future. - The current list of occupational diseases in Tunisia comprises 86 conditions, with musculoskeletal disorders being the most common. - The recognition of work-related stress and burnout as occupational diseases would require in-depth scientific studies to establish a direct link with the work environment.
