Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Guyana (Ratification: 1983)

In comments it has been making since 1987, the Committee noted that national laws and regulations were too general to give full effect to most of the provisions of the Convention, and that specific measures should therefore be taken to regulate the use of benzene and products containing benzene in accordance with the Convention.

The Committee noted the Government's indication in its report for 1992 that active consideration was still being given to the proposals for legislation concerning benzene, and that assistance from the ILO would be sought as soon as these proposals were accepted.

The Committee notes the Government's indication in its latest report that specific measures to give full effect to the Convention have still not been taken, but a national meeting was to be held in December 1993 to look at legislative reforms in the area of occupational safety and health. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply information on the decisions reached at this meeting on the extent of participation of representatives of employers' and workers' organizations in the meeting, and on progress made towards the adoption of the specific measures required under the Convention to protect workers against hazards of poisoning arising from benzene.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 1996.]