Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Côte d'Ivoire (Ratification: 1973)

In comments made for a number of years, the Committee has been referring to a draft decree to amend Decree No. 67-321 of 21 July 1967 codifying the regulatory provisions of the Labour Code concerning special occupational safety and health measures applying to establishments whose staff is exposed to benzene intoxication. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its latest report that while the draft decree amending Decree No. 67-321 of 21 July 1967 has been approved by the Health and Safety Technical Advisory Committee, it has not yet entered into force because the Labour Code and the Decree No. 67-321 are presently undergoing further revision. The Committee further notes the Government's indication that all efforts are being made for the adoption of these new texts.

The Committee hopes that, accordingly, the necessary amendments will soon be adopted to give effect to the following provisions of the Convention: Articles 1 and 4 (prohibition of the use of products the benzene content of which exceeds 1 per cent by volume); Article 2 (use of harmless or less harmful substitute products instead of benzene or products containing benzene); Article 6, paragraph 2 (fixing the maximum concentration of benzene in the air of the places of employment at a level not exceeding 80 mg/m3); Article 8, paragraph 1 (adequate means of personal protection); Article 11, paragraph 2 (employment of young people under the age of 18 years only when they are undergoing education or training and are under adequate technical and medical supervision).