Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2021, published 110th ILC session (2022)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - North Macedonia (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition

Article 1(1) of the Convention. Periodic determination of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. Further to its previous comment, the Committee notes that, in 2014, the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Public Health conducted a survey in all authorized institutions for occupational safety, which required these institutions to submit data on measurements of each occupational hazard performed in the last three years. The Government indicates that the analysis of the data collected is still ongoing. Recalling that Article 1 of the Convention calls for the periodical review of the list of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorisation or control, the Committee requests the Government to indicate the manner in which this list is reviewed at periodical intervals as well as the manner in which the results of the abovementioned survey are used in this process.

Article 5. Medical examination and health supervision. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that the types of medical examinations provided to workers with an increased risk of exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances are determined by the new Decree on the Type, Manner, Volume and Pricing of Health Examinations of Workers (No. 60/2013). The Committee requests the Government to supply a copy of this text. The Government is also requested to provide information on the measures taken to ensure, that workers exposed to carcinogenic substances and agents are also provided with medical examinations after the period of employment, to evaluate and supervise their state of health in relation to occupational hazards, in accordance with this provision.

Article 6(a). Consultations with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned. The Committee notes that the Government’s report contains no information on this point. The Committee is therefore bound to reiterate its request to the Government to provide information on the manner in which consultations are held with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned on measures taken to give effect to the Convention.

Article 6(b). Bodies in charge of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the obligations of employers. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the statutory body or bodies in charge of supervising the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and of ensuring compliance therewith.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that there is currently no statistical data on occupational diseases due to exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents, but that a Professional Diseases Registry will be established. The Committee also notes that the Health and Environment Committee is currently reviewing the implementation of the laws and regulations on exposure to carcinogenic substances and agents. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the ongoing review process and its results as well as on any developments concerning the establishment of the Professional Diseases Registry. The Government is also requested to provide information on inspection visits carried out, the number and nature of contraventions detected and the sanctions imposed relating to the application of the Convention.