Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no reply to its previous comments. It must therefore repeat its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 5(d), (g), (h) and (k) of the Convention. Please specify to what extent the following functions are guaranteed by occupational health services: participation in the development of programmes for the improvement of working practices as well as testing and evaluation of health aspects of new equipment; promotion of the adaptation of work to the workers; contribution to measures of vocational rehabilitation; participation in analysis of occupational accidents and occupational diseases.

Article 10. Please indicate the provisions made to guarantee the professional independence of the personnel in all new institutions from employers, workers and their representatives.

Article 12. The Committee notes that, according to the Government's report, the financial and economic conditions relating to the health benefits granted by occupational medical services are not completely covered by legislation. It requests the Government to indicate whether the surveillance of workers' health in relation to their work is free of charge for them in all health services, whether it involves any loss of earnings for them, and what provisions govern the financial conditions of the surveillance of workers' health.

2. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the system of national health institutions is undergoing a period of fundamental transformation, and changes and amendments must be made to the national legislation governing the activity of occupational health services. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any progress made in this regard by specifying in particular the regulatory texts adopted which remain in force.