Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Afghanistan (Ratification: 1979)

1. With reference to its previous direct request, the Committee notes from the Government's report that a new Labour Code has been adopted and that the Ministry of Public Health is presently considering the measures necessary to prevent occupational hazards due to carcinogenic substances and agents in the light of the Convention. The Committee hopes that these measures will determine the carcinogenic substances and agents which shall be prohibited or regulated in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention and that they will give full effect to Article 2 (substitution of carcinogenic substances by non-carcinogenic or less harmful substances, number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances and degree and duration of exposure), Article 3 (protection of workers against risk of exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents and establishment of an appropriate system of records), Article 4 (providing workers with information on the dangers involved and the measures to be taken when exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents), and Article 5 (provision of medical examinations during the period of employment and thereafter). The Committee requests the Government to indicate in its next report the progress made in this regard.

2. Please communicate with the next report a copy of the Decree on the principal standards governing occupational safety and methods of prevention, issued under section 115 of the Labour Code.