Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Iraq (Ratification: 1972)

In its previous comments, the Committee drew the Government's attention to the fact that the 1978 directives concerning protection against the risks of benzene poisoning contain no provision formally prohibiting the use of benzene and products containing benzene such as solvents, or diluents - except where the process is carried out in an enclosed system or where there are other equally safe methods of work - as prescribed in Article 4, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee considered that the provisions of sections 5 and 8 of the above directives did not give full effect to the above Article of the Convention and requested the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure the application of the Convention on this point.

The Committee notes with regret that, for the second time in succession, the Government's report contains no reply to the above comments. It therefore reiterates the hope that the next report will contain information on the measures adopted in this connection.