Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Belarus (Ratification: 1979)

Article 2, paragraph 1, of the Convention. National policy on nursing services and nursing personnel. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the draft Principles of Nursing 2009–14 have been drawn up together with measures to implement them. The draft Principles are designed among others to establish conditions favourable to nurses, increase efficiency and strengthen the role of nursing personnel in the delivery of primary health care, improve the training and skills development of nurses, develop new organizational forms of nursing and systems of management of nursing work, promote the establishment of nursing associations and their involvement in the reform of nursing work, and develop research in the field of nursing. The Committee also notes that the plan to implement these Principles includes measures aimed at improving the organization of work of nursing staff, developing professional training and staffing policy, and promoting international cooperation. It requests the Government to transmit a copy of the Principles of Nursing 2009–14 once they have been adopted, and further elaborate on the concrete steps taken for their implementation and the results obtained. It also requests the Government to clarify whether and how representative organizations of nursing personnel have been associated with the preparation of the draft Principles.

Articles 2, paragraph 2, and 6. Employment and working conditions of nursing personnel. The Committee notes the Government’s detailed indications about the preferential working conditions applicable to nursing personnel in light of the constraints and hazards inherent in the profession, particularly as regards wage increments, reduced working time and additional leave. It requests the Government to specify how the employment and working conditions of nursing personnel are determined in the private sector and to transmit copies of relevant collective agreements, if any.

Article 3. Nursing education and training. The Committee understands that there have been major changes in nursing education and training since 2002. There are currently 17 medical colleges and the duration of nursing studies has been extended to two years and ten months followed by a two-year compulsory work placement upon graduation. It requests the Government to provide an updated overview of the basic education and training curricula, specialization courses and registration requirements for nursing personnel.

Article 5, paragraph 1. Participation of nursing personnel in the planning of services. With reference to its previous comment, the Committee notes the adoption of Order No. 236 dated 27 March 2008 of the Ministry of Health establishing the National Council on Nursing Services composed of specialists from departments of the Ministry of Health, medical research and educational establishments, health establishments and professional associations. The Council’s main task is the development of the nursing profession, the coordination of nursing services and the elaboration of strategic orientations for improving the organization of work, the analysis and monitoring of the development of nursing, and the dissemination and evaluation of national and global experiences regarding nursing services. Its functions include the determination of priority orientations for the development of nursing, the participation in drafting relevant legislative instruments and the formulation of recommendations for improving staffing and nursing training. The Committee requests the Government to transmit a copy of the instruments establishing the composition and rules of procedure of the National Council on Nursing Services. It would also appreciate receiving additional information on the activities of the National Council so far and the role and participation of the Nurses’ Association in its work.

Article 7. Occupational safety and health of nursing personnel. The Committee notes the adoption of the new Occupational Safety and Health Act No. 356-Z of 23 June 2008. It also notes the adoption of Resolution No. 905 of the Council of Ministers of 16 August 2005 approving the national programme to improve conditions of work and occupational safety and health 2006–10. It further notes that sectoral documents on occupational safety and health have been prepared, including in the health sector, and specific model rules on protective equipment have been drawn up for health workers. More concretely, the Committee notes that, in the framework of the implementation of the Programme on Prevention of Infection 2006–10, approved by Resolution No. 1068 of the Council of Ministers of 12 August 2006, concrete measures have been taken especially with regard to education, training and retraining of medical staff, HIV/AIDS awareness, use of protective equipment, and introduction of safe technologies and instruments. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing full particulars on any measures, legislative, administrative or others, seeking to improve the occupational health and safety standards applicable to health-care workers.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes that, according to the statistical information provided by the Government, in 2006, there were 118,327 intermediate medical personnel (including nurses), or 121 intermediate medical staff per 10,000 inhabitants. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply all available information concerning the application of the Convention in practice, including, for instance, statistical data and characteristics of the composition of the nursing workforce (e.g. age, gender), the number of nurses exiting or joining the profession every year, the nurse-to-population ratio, copies of official reports or studies addressing nursing-related issues, any practical difficulties experienced in the application of the Convention, etc.