Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1989, published 76th ILC session (1989)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Egypt (Ratification: 1982)

1. The Committee notes with interest from the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous direct request that it intends to take into consideration for the revision of title V of the Labour Code and Orders No. 55 of 1983 and No. 28 of 1982 the comments previously made concerning Article 1, paragraphs 1 and 3 (determination of carcinogenic substances and agents which shall be prohibited or made subject to authorisation or control), Article 2, paragraph 2 (list of activities where workers are exposed to carcinogenic substances), and Article 4 of the Convention (provision of information to workers who are or have been exposed to carcinogenic substances on the dangers involved and the methods of protection). The Committee would like to recall that under Article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention, measures shall also be taken to reduce the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances and that Article 3 requires for the establishment of a system of records for workers concerned. The Committee hopes that the Government will also give effect to these provisions of the Convention in the current revision of the legislation.

2. The Committee observes that section 58 of Law No. 79 of 1975 and Law No. 27 of 1981, referred to by the Government, do not fully apply Article 5 of the Convention, as they do not provide for medical examination after termination of employment in sectors other than mines and quarries, and independent of any incapacity. It reiterates the hope that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that workers are provided with medical examinations as necessary after their employment to evaluate their exposure and state of health in relation to occupational hazards, in accordance with this provision of the Convention.