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The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending June 1999. With reference to its observation of 1996 relating to the representation made to the ILO by the Inter-Union Assembly of Workers-National Convention of Workers (PIT-CNT) and the National Single Trade Union in Construction and Similar Activities (SUNCA) concerning the safety situation in the construction sector and the resulting high incidence of employment accidents, the Committee notes the relevant information and the full documentation transmitted by the Government with its report on the application of Convention No. 81. This information shows that important measures have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee set up to examine the representation, whose report was adopted by the Governing Body. The Committee notes with interest the substantial development in the human and material resources of the relevant services of the labour administration, as well as the adoption of relevant legislative provisions and awareness-raising campaigns for workers and employers on occupational risks using the media and with the active participation of the trade unions. The Government also provides information concerning the technical and financial cooperation of many national, foreign and international public and private institutions, with the participation of employers’ and workers’ organizations in the construction sector. The Committee notes with interest, in particular, the establishment of specific inspection and training programmes in the field of occupational safety in collaboration with the Inter-American Research and Documentation Centre on Vocational Training (ILO/CINTERFOR). However, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, despite the significant progress made as a result of the implementation of measures in the field of occupational safety, the number of employment accidents remains abnormally high, and it would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide information on any measures which have been taken or are envisaged in the areas covered by the Convention with a view to improving occupational safety conditions, not only in the construction sector, but also in other sectors of activity.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government concerning certain provisions of the Convention.