CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s reply to its previous comments referring to earlier observations made by the Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions (CMKOS) essentially relating to the required measures for the formulation, implementation and periodic review of a coherent national policy on occupational safety, occupational health and the working environment (Article 4 of the Convention). The Government indicates in its reply that the amendment to the Labour Code will probably enter into force on 1 January 2001, and that a copy will be sent to the Office when it is approved. It indicates that the amendments change in important ways the parts concerning safety and health at work.

The Committee further notes with interest the information that the Czech Republic is bound by its association with the European Union to harmonize its legislation with the European Union legislation in the field of safety and health at work. Comparative analysis of EU Directives has been completed and the basic principles and requirements in this field demanded by EU have been included in the amendment to the Labour Code, and a number of by-laws containing technical details concerning EU Directives will be issued based on the Labour Code and the new law on protection of public health.

The Committee also notes with interest the information that the comparative analysis of safety and health at work management models in the EU countries is being finalized and that the management model in the Czech Republic will be formulated on the basis of this comparative analysis.

The Committee notes with interest the information that the Czech Office for Safety at Work, an institution founded by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, is currently working on the draft law on labour inspection. It also notes with interest the information that one of the priorities covered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs strategy plan up to 2002 is safety and health at work. The Government’s report indicates that in order to ensure the protection and improvement of the working environment it is vital to develop and implement a national plan for the protection of the working environment, which, for its implementation, will require the establishment of: (a) realistic and achievable objectives and targets; (b) an approach that is effective and can be monitored with regard to progress in meeting the objectives, including both timing and economic costs/benefits; (c) institutional implementation; (d) resources (human, technical and financial); and (e) enforcement mechanisms.

The Committee hopes that the abovementioned laws and regulations and other measures will be adopted shortly and that copies of the adopted texts will be sent to the Office.

The Committee is addressing a number of other points to the Government in a direct request.