Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Madagascar (Ratification: 1960)

1. The Committee notes that, under the terms of section 207 of Act No. 94-029 of 25 August 1995 issuing the Labour Code, the provisions respecting occupational health and safety and the medical service contained in Ordinance No. 75-013-O-DM of 17 May 1975 shall remain in force until the publication of the legislative texts and regulations. The Committee also notes the Government's statement in its report that Order No. 903 of 20 May 1960 contains specific health and safety measures for establishments in which the staff is exposed to lead poisoning.

The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information in its next report on the applicable legislation that gives effect to the provisions of the Convention. The Committee also notes that, under the terms of section 94 of the Labour Code, the nature of the work prohibited for children, women and pregnant women shall be determined by decree; in this respect, the Committee recalls that Article 3, paragraph 1, of the Convention prohibits the employment of males under 18 years of age and all females in any painting work of an industrial character involving the use of white lead or sulphate of lead or other products containing these pigments. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures which have been taken or are envisaged to ensure observance of this Article of the Convention.

2. The Committee notes the statistics concerning cases of lead poisoning registered by the National Social Insurance Fund during the year 1995.