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With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its reports. It notes firstly that the list of occupational diseases contained in the Government’s latest report differs from that provided previously, since it contains a lower number of diseases which are presumed to be of occupational origin. The Government is therefore invited to provide, with its next report, an up to date copy of Schedule 3 to the Workmen’s Compensation Act of 1923, which lays down the list of occupational diseases recognized in the country.

Furthermore, according to the information provided by the Government, apart from the industrial accidents duly reported by the competent authorities, there are hardly any reported cases of occupational disease in the country, taking into account the relatively low number of enterprises exposed to such risk and the prevention policies pursued by the competent authorities. Moreover, no complaints have been submitted to the authorities concerning the recognition of occupational diseases and, at present, there are no relevant statistics. While it takes due note of this information, the Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the possible reasons for the virtual absence of cases of recognized occupational diseases in the country and, in particular, to give the source of this information. The Committee also requests the Government to specify the number of workers employed in the industries or carrying out the trades listed in the Schedule under Article 2 of the Convention (right-hand column), and also to indicate, where appropriate, any investigations conducted internally to detect any flaws in the procedure for recognizing the occupational origin of the diseases listed in the Convention.