This Law, consisting of 65 articles divided into six Chapters, establishes the general principles and rules that aim to promote safety, health and hygiene at work. It applies in all workplaces located in the territory of Timor-Leste, to national and international workers and employers and to the respective organizations. In particular the Law covers: a) All branches of activity, in the public, private and cooperative and social sectors; b) Employees or in the service of others and their employers, including non-profit legal persons governed by private law; c) Self-employed workers; d) Trainees or apprentices; e) Those who are economically dependent on the employer due to the means of work and the result of their activity, although they are not holders of a legal relationship of public or private employment. This law also determines special protection measures for pregnant and lactating female workers and minor workers, establishing the activities that are prohibited or conditioned.
Its principles are applicable to agricultural holdings and to the exercise of family fishing activity, and to domestic service. This Law is not applicable, in the public sector, whenever activities conditioned by security or emergency criteria are at stake and to all those who carry out these activities, namely members of the army or the police, as well as those who carry out specific activities in civil protection services, without prejudice to the adoption of measures to ensure the safety and health of the respective workers.