Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

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

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government's indication in its latest report that the provisions of the Convention have been incorporated in the Labour Code and its complementary legislation, particularly the Regulation on main standards for work protection and safety techniques, published in the Official Gazette, No. 670 of 21 July 1988. The Committee would request the Government to transmit to the Office a copy of this Regulation.

The Committee also notes from the Government's report that the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has set up a commission to prepare a draft of new regulations on working conditions and safety measures to protect workers from occupational cancer. The Committee hopes that the new regulations will be adopted in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned, in conformity with Article 6 of the Convention, and that the Government will provide a copy of these regulations once adopted. It trusts the new regulations will specifically determine the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or made subject to control in accordance with Article 1 of the Convention, and that they will contain definitive provisions on:

- the substitution of carcinogenic substances by non-carcinogenic or less harmful substances, and the reduction of the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances and the degree of exposure, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention;

- the protection of workers against risk of exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents and the establishment of an appropriate system of records, in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention;

- measures for providing workers with information on the dangers involved and the measures to be taken when exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents, in accordance with Article 4 of the Convention; and

- the provision of medical examinations during the period of employment and thereafter, in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention.

The Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to take the measures required by the Convention and that it will indicate in its next report the progress achieved in this connection.