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Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Netherlands (RATIFICATION: 1999)

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes with interest the comprehensive information provided by the Government in its latest report, including statistical information on the application of the Convention in the Netherlands and information on compensation entitlements for asbestos victims suffering from mesothelioma. The Committee notes the comments submitted by the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV) and received by the Office on 30 August 2010 which indicate that only half of the victims of mesothelioma receive the full fixed standard amount of compensation. The Committee welcomes the detailed ten-year survey report published by the Dutch Institute for Asbestos Victims (IAS) and its informative website which contains relevant asbestos-related information from all over the world. The Committee also notes the significant work undertaken by IAS in the field of asbestos, including the development of a database on asbestos victims; research on the diagnostic techniques and medical panels on mesothelioma; research on asbestos-related lung cancer; and research on the possible link between the method of asbestos exposure and the nature of its carcinogenic effect. The Committee further notes the information indicating measures that have been taken to control work with asbestos, including the enhancement of the procedures and the enforcement of local authorities; a more integrated enforcement approach and higher fines; enhancement of the system of certification; and the possible incorporation of new scientific conclusions (in particular, possible limit values) in legislative measures. The Committee notes that the comments of FNV call for close monitoring of the effects of such measures. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the application of this Convention in practice, in particular on the outcome of measures taken to address the hazards involved when undertaking demolition work where there is exposure to asbestos and on the allocation of compensation for victims suffering from mesothelioma, in light of the comments received from FNV.