Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Colombia (Ratification: 1933)

Article 3 of the Convention. Prohibition of the employment of young persons under 18 years of age 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 notes with satisfaction that, in accordance with resolution No. 4448 of 2005 of the Ministry of Social Welfare, now replaced by resolution No. 1677 of 2008 of the same Ministry, no boy, girl or young person under 18 years of age may be engaged in any painting work of an industrial character involving the use of white lead or sulphate of lead or any product containing these elements. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of this Article in practice. Furthermore, noting that section 4 of resolution No. 1677 of 2008 envisages the possibility that, under certain conditions, young persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have obtained a technical or technological training qualification may be engaged in activities prohibited by the Decree, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the application of this section to the matters covered by this Article of the Convention.

Communication from the Single Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CUT) and the Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CTC). The Committee notes a communication of the CUT and the CTC indicating, among other matters, that the great majority of workers who use industrial paints are in the informal economy or work in small enterprises or craft workshops that are not subject to any legal supervision or any contacts with occupational risk agencies, and on which, for the same reason, there are no reliable statistics. The Committee will examine the communication in detail at its next session, together with any comments that the Government may wish to make thereon.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.