Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Lao People's Democratic Republic (Ratification: 1964)

Articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. Prohibition and regulation of the use of white lead and sulphate of lead, and of all products containing these pigments. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Labour Law (Revised) was adopted in 2013. The Government states that changes have been introduced to the Law in accordance with Articles 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Convention. However, the Committee notes that the Labour Law of 2013 does not contain provisions relating to the use of white lead paint. The Committee therefore requests the Government to indicate the provisions of national legislation which give effect to the following Articles of the Convention: Article 1 (prohibition of the use of white lead and sulphate of lead in the internal painting of buildings); Article 2 (regulation of the use of white lead in artistic painting); Article 3 (prohibition of the employment of young persons under 18 years of age and all females in any painting work involving the use of white lead); and Article 5 (regulation of the use of white lead in painting operations for which its use is not prohibited).

Article 7. Establishment of statistics of morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning. Noting that the Government indicates that there are no data available for the moment, the Committee recalls the obligation under Article 7 concerning the collection of statistics among working painters of cases of lead poisoning and requests the Government to make every effort to begin to compile such information. It requests the Government to provide such statistical information, when available.