Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following points.

The Committee noted the information provided by the Government in its first report. It noted the conclusions of the First Conference on Safety of Labour and Health Protection and in particular recommendations given by this Conference to the competent authorities and central bodies of the country in order to improve the situation in the field of occupational safety and health. The Committee also noted the observations received from the Czech-Moravian Chamber of Trade Unions (CMKOS). In its comments, the CMKOS stated that no constructive state policy has been worked out in the area of occupational safety and health which would ensure compliance with the Convention. The draft document on state policy in this matter was submitted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and discussed in April 1995. According to the CMKOS the said document has not defined a basic concept of the policy, the role of the State and the role of the social partners, and did not indicate measures contemplated at the national and regional levels. The CMKOS also indicated that the representatives of employers and employees were invited to consultations concerning a draft law on occupational safety and health which is now under preparation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; but the amendments they made concerning the absence of measures at the national, regional and company levels had not been taken into account. The CMKOS also stated that the unions' role in representing employees in matters of occupational safety and health both at the national and company levels has been weakening. The Committee noted these indications. In the absence of the Government's comments on the CMKOS observations, a copy of which was sent to the Government in February 1996, the Government is requested to indicate measures taken or envisaged to formulate and implement a coherent national policy (Article 4 of the Convention). The Committee draws the Government's attention to a possibility to ask for the ILO's technical assistance on occupational safety and health matters and, in particular, for advice and information on relevant comparative experiences regarding subjects raised in these observations.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

[The Government is requested to report in detail in 1998.]