Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Ecuador (Ratification: 1975)

Article 1(1) and (3) of the Convention. Determination of the carcinogenic substances and agents to be prohibited or made subject to authorization. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Inter-Institutional Committee has not fixed maximum permissible levels of exposure as required by section 64 of the Regulations concerning the safety and health of workers, but that the limit values laid down in international standards are used as a reference point in the country. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the legislation referring to or prescribing the limit values laid down in international standards and on the manner in which their application is ensured in practice.

Article 2(2). Reduction to the minimum compatible with safety of the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents and the length of such exposure. Having referred to this matter for a number of years, the Committee again requests the Government to supply information on the application of this Article, including on the establishment of the list of enterprises for the purposes of checking the length of workers’ exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents.

Article 5. Medical examinations after the period of employment. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it has drafted an instrument which specifies that the type and frequency of medical examinations shall depend on the assessment of exposure levels in the workplace and that the internal occupational safety and health (OSH) regulations presented to the Ministry of Labour for approval shall contain a chapter on this subject. The Committee notes that this information is of a general nature and requests the Government to supply more detailed information on the legislation governing medical examinations after employment, with an indication of the areas of work concerned, and especially on the application of these provisions in practice.

In 2010 the Committee asked the Government to reply in detail to its comments of 2006. The Committee pointed out to the Government that its concise report contained little information in relation to progress made on the application of the Convention. The Committee therefore again requests the Government to contemplate the possibility of requesting technical assistance from the Office with regard to the drafting of reports and issues raised in connection with the OSH Conventions and to supply information on any needs that may arise in this regard.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2013.]