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Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Iraq (RATIFICATION: 1987)

Legislation. The Committee welcomes the submission of Act No. 8 of 2006 of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, containing provisions which upgrade the National Centre for Occupational Safety and Health to a General Directorate within the Ministry of Labour. It also notes that the Government is in the process of adopting a new Labour Code. The Committee expresses the hope that the new Labour Code will take account of the Committee’s comments, and requests the Government to provide a copy of the Code, once adopted.

Article 10 of the Convention. Maintaining a comfortable and steady temperature in all premises used by workers. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the new instructions on maintaining a comfortable and steady temperature in workplaces are still under consideration. It therefore reiterates its request to the Government to send a copy of these instructions, once adopted.

Article 12. Provision of drinking water at workplaces. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to section 5(5) of the Instructions No. 22 of 1987, which provides that the employer shall provide drinking water that is wholesome, clean and particularly chilled in the summertime.

Article 14. Provision of suitable seats in offices and other workplaces. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to section 5(2) of the Instructions No. 22, which requires employers to provide suitable premises to workers for resting and taking their meals, specifying that these premises shall, inter alia, have seats and bedding. In this regard, the Committee recalls that Article 14 of the Convention calls for the provision of sufficient and suitable seats in all premises used by workers, not only premises used for rest and meals. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure that all premises are equipped with sufficient and suitable seats. In addition, noting the Government’s previous indication that consultations had been undertaken between the social partners on this subject, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide information on the outcome of these consultations.

Article 16. Underground and windowless working premises. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that draft instructions concerning underground and windowless working premises had been included in a draft Occupational Safety and Health Act. Noting the absence of information in the Government’s report on this point, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the status of the draft Occupational Safety and Health Act, and to provide a copy of this Act, once adopted.

Part IV of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including relevant extracts from reports of the inspection services.