Observación (CEACR) - Adopción: 2004, Publicación: 93ª reunión CIT (2005)

1. Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention. National laws or regulations on asbestos. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Factories Act is being modified to become the draft Occupational Safety and Health Bill, which is yet to be passed by Cabinet. Although the draft Occupational Safety and Health Bill does not contain specific provisions on asbestos, it covers all hazardous materials. In this regard and further to its previous comments, the Committee recalls that Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention, calls for the adoption of specific legislation prescribing measures to be taken for the prevention and control of, and protection against, health hazards due to occupational exposure to asbestos. Due to the time elapsed since the ratification of the Convention, the Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned, in accordance with Article 4, of the Convention, to proceed to the adoption of laws or regulations ensuring effective application of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the next report of the Government will indicate the progress accomplished in this respect.

2. Part V of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that many steps still need to be taken to incorporate the provisions of the Convention into both national law and practice. In this regard, the Committee reminds the Government of the possibility to request technical assistance from the Office to overcome the existing obstacles.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2006.]