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1. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report in reply to its previous comments based on the observations made by the Latin American Central of Workers (CLAT) regarding extension of the working day for operators and supervisors of the national telephone service according to the provisions of the Agreement of the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources No. 843 of 31 December 1990, which can result in a serious reduction in hearing, loss of sight and irreversible damage to the central nervous system due to permanent exposure to noise and harmful gas emissions.

The Committee recalls that it had requested the Government to supply information on the application of the measures set out in Ministerial Agreement No. 709, which rectified the provisions of Ministerial Agreement No. 843, indicating whether they guarantee protection of telephone operators and supervisors against occupational hazards due to noise and air pollution. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of Ministerial Agreement No. 136 of 23 February 1999, and in particular its section 4, which confirms the standards set in Ministerial Agreement No. 709 of 31 December 1993. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the practical application of these measures intended to guarantee the protection of telephone operators and supervisors against occupational hazards due to noise and air pollution.

2. The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.