White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Comoros (Ratification: 1978)

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

The Committee notes with concern that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Prohibition of the use of white lead and sulphate of lead in the internal painting of buildings. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that there are no specific provisions in national legislation applying the Convention, but that the Labour Code contains general indications in this respect.The Committee hopes that the Government, in its next report, will be able to provide detailed information on the measures taken in law and practice to regulate the use of white lead and sulphate of lead and of all products containing these pigments, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no report of the inspection services which would provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice or which would provide statistical data relating to it.The Committee requests the Government to provide information when it is available on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical information on cases of lead poisoning among working painters, indicating, in particular, morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

The Committee expects that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Prohibition of the use of white lead and sulphate of lead in the internal painting of buildings. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that there are no specific provisions in national legislation applying the Convention, but that the Labour Code contains general indications in this respect.The Committee hopes that the Government, in its next report, will be able to provide detailed information on the measures taken in law and practice to regulate the use of white lead and sulphate of lead and of all products containing these pigments, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no report of the inspection services which would provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice or which would provide statistical data relating to it.The Committee requests the Government to provide information when it is available on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical information on cases of lead poisoning among working painters, indicating, in particular, morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Prohibition of the use of white lead and sulphate of lead in the internal painting of buildings. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report that there are no specific provisions in national legislation applying the Convention, but that the Labour Code contains general indications in this respect. The Committee hopes that the Government, in its next report, will be able to provide detailed information on the measures taken in law and practice to regulate the use of white lead and sulphate of lead and of all products containing these pigments, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there is no report of the inspection services which would provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice or which would provide statistical data relating to it. The Committee requests the Government to provide information when it is available on the application of the Convention in practice, including statistical information on cases of lead poisoning among working painters, indicating, in particular, morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

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

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It expresses deep concern in this respect. It is therefore bound to repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Application in practice. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous comments.

Repetition

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous comment which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and the attached information. It notes that the Government intends to better control the use of chemical products, which would be harmful for the health of workers, and to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. The Committee also notes that the national action plan “Development of a national policy on occupational safety and health” was adopted in 2005 to evaluate occupational safety and health at workplaces and has also taken note of the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a department of statistics and medical surveillance for occupational safety and health.

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the near future.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and the attached information. It notes that the Government intends to better control the use of chemical products, which would be harmful for the health of workers, and to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. The Committee also notes that the national action plan “Development of a national policy on occupational safety and health” was adopted in 2005 to evaluate occupational safety and health at workplaces and has also taken note of the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a department of statistics and medical surveillance for occupational safety and health.

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

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

The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

Repetition

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and the attached information. It notes with interest that the Government intends to better control the use of chemical products, which would be harmful for the health of workers, and to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. The Committee also notes with interest that the national action plan “Development of a national policy on occupational safety and health” was adopted in 2005 to evaluate occupational safety and health at workplaces and has also taken note of the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a department of statistics and medical surveillance for occupational safety and health.

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and the attached information. It notes with interest that the Government intends to better control the use of chemical products, which would be harmful for the health of workers, and to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. The Committee also notes with interest that the national action plan “Development of a national policy on occupational safety and health” was adopted in 2005 to evaluate occupational safety and health at workplaces and has also taken note of the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a department of statistics and medical surveillance for occupational safety and health.

Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report and the attached information. It notes with interest that the Government intends to better control the use of chemical products, which would be harmful for the health of workers, and to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. The Committee also notes with interest that the national action plan “Development of a national policy on occupational safety and health” was adopted in 2005 to evaluate occupational safety and health at workplaces and has also taken note of the Government’s request for technical assistance from the Office to help it establish a department of statistics and medical surveillance for occupational safety and health.

2. Part V of the report form. The Committee asks the Government to submit a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country including, for example, extracts from the reports of the inspection services, as well as any available information on the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation, the number and nature of the contraventions reported, etc.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

1. The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation, which read as follows:

1. The Committee notes the comments made by the Union of Autonomous Comorian Workers’ Organizations (USATC) and the Government’s reply.

The Union of Autonomous Comorian Workers’ Organizations (USATC) observes that, owing to the lack of occupational health services, it is difficult to confirm categorically the non-existence of victims of lead poisoning. This being the case, the USATC requests that occupational health services be established, taking account of developments in the use of chemical products.

In its reply, the Government indicates that in view of the lack of a statistics department and an occupational health service, the labour administration service is unable to provide reliable statistics on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

2. In addition, the Committee notes the brief information communicated by the Government in reply to its previous comments in which it reiterated the need for statistics to be provided on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning, pursuant to Article 7 of the Convention. In this regard the Government indicates that there is no enterprise in Comoros which uses chemical products capable of causing lead poisoning. In view of the comment by the USATC and the Government’s observations, the Committee considers that the Government should take all necessary steps to evaluate the situation in the country concerning the use of white lead, lead sulphate and all products containing these pigments, which would be harmful to the health of workers, and consequently to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. These statistics must cover both morbidity and mortality, in conformity with Article 7 of the Convention. The Government hopes to adopt the necessary measures to this end, while requesting technical assistance from the ILO in the context of strengthening the capacity of the labour administration, in particular by the training of labour inspectors and occupational health physicians. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will provide relevant information on the progress made with regard to the adoption of these measures.

2. The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

1. The Committee notes the comments made by the Union of Autonomous Comorian Workers’ Organizations (USATC) and the Government’s reply.

The Union of Autonomous Comorian Workers’ Organizations (USATC) observes that, owing to the lack of occupational health services, it is difficult to confirm categorically the non-existence of victims of lead poisoning. This being the case, the USATC requests that occupational health services be established, taking account of developments in the use of chemical products.

In its reply, the Government indicates that in view of the lack of a statistics department and an occupational health service, the labour administration service is unable to provide reliable statistics on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

2. In addition, the Committee notes the brief information communicated by the Government in reply to its previous comments in which it reiterated the need for statistics to be provided on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning, pursuant to Article 7 of the Convention. In this regard the Government indicates that there is no enterprise in Comoros which uses chemical products capable of causing lead poisoning. In view of the comment by the USATC and the Government’s observations, the Committee considers that the Government should take all necessary steps to evaluate the situation in the country concerning the use of white lead, lead sulphate and all products containing these pigments, which would be harmful to the health of workers, and consequently to establish statistics on the subject of lead poisoning in working painters. These statistics must cover both morbidity and mortality, in conformity with Article 7 of the Convention. The Government hopes to adopt the necessary measures to this end, while requesting technical assistance from the ILO in the context of strengthening the capacity of the labour administration, in particular by the training of labour inspectors and occupational health physicians. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will provide relevant information on the progress made with regard to the adoption of these measures.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in answer to its previous direct request to the effect that the labour administration service does not have a statistics department capable of providing reliable statistical data on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning, as required by the report form under the terms of Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able in the very near future to take the necessary measures to obtain and communicate such data, in order to give effect to the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

The Committee notes from the Government's report that there has been no change in the legislation giving effect to the Convention. It notes, however, that the Government has not supplied any statistics concerning lead poisoning among working painters for a number of years, as requested in the report form under Article 7 of the Convention. The Government is, therefore, requested to provide statistics on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning in its next report.