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Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) - Belgium (RATIFICATION: 2015)

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The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 4(1) of the Convention. Coherent national policy on safety and health in agriculture. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that an agreement on well-being at work in the agricultural and horticultural sector was signed in October 2015 by the Minister of Employment; the Federal Public Service for Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue; the Boerenbond; the Flemish Vocational Association of Ornamental Horticulture and Creation and Maintenance of Green Spaces; the Walloon Horticultural Federation; the Walloon Federation of Agriculture; as well as the trade union organizations of the Joint Commission for Agriculture and Horticulture, PreventAgri Walloon and PreventAgri Flanders. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government’s indication, the 2016–20 National Strategy for Well-being at Work applies to all sectors. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the agreement on well-being at work in the agricultural and horticultural sector, and to provide further information on the formulation, implementation and review of the well-being policy and the multi-year plan of action, as provided for in the Convention. It also requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the national well-being at work strategy in the agricultural sector, as well as any subsequent national strategy, and on the measures taken or envisaged to ensure coherence between the agreement on well-being at work in the agricultural and horticultural sector and the national strategy.

Article 4(2)(a) and (c). Competent authority and mechanisms of inter sectoral coordination among relevant authorities and bodies for the agricultural sector. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Federal Public Service for Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue is the competent authority for the implementation of the agreement on well-being and safety at work in agriculture and horticulture and that the Federal Public Service for Public Health is the competent authority for the normative framework and the monitoring of pesticides, biocides, fertilizers and additives intended for animal feed. It also notes that a meeting with the sectors concerned is being held to discuss biocide-related risks, as well as the findings of an evaluation of the 2008–12 National Strategy for Well-being at Work concerning the lack of communication and clarity of responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the existing or envisaged mechanisms to clearly define the responsibility and ensure coordination among the relevant authorities and bodies for the agricultural sector, including the Federal Public Service for Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue, the Federal Public Service for Public Health and any other relevant body.

Article 12(c), Article 13(2)(b), (c) and (d), and Article 19. Suitable system for the safe collection, recycling and disposal of chemical waste. Preventive and protective measures for the use of chemicals and handling of chemical waste. Minimum accommodation standards for workers. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that the collection, recycling and disposal of chemical waste, obsolete chemicals and empty containers (Article 12(c)), preventive and protective measures for the use of chemicals and handling of chemical waste (Article 13(2)(b), (c) and (d)), as well as minimum accommodation standards for workers who are required to live in the undertaking (Article 19(b)) fall within the jurisdiction of the regions. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the measures taken at the regional level to give effect to these provisions, and on the consultations held or envisaged on this subject with the social partners.