Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1991, published 78th ILC session (1991)

Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention (Revised), 1934 (No. 42) - Greece (Ratification: 1952)

In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government again indicates that the question of bringing section 40 of the Regulations on Occupational Diseases of the Social Security Institute (IKA) of 16 January 1979 into conformity with the Convention will shortly be referred to a special committee for examination. The Committee recalls that the Government has been stating that this examination is to take place for several years. Accordingly, it must again express the hope that the results of the examination will enable the lists of occupational diseases given in Ministerial Orders No. 416/1759, of 16 January 1979, and No. 416/1862 of 27 December 1979 of the Minister of Social Affairs to be completed in the near future so as to take into account the following points, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention:

(a) Pathological manifestations resulting from poisoning by lead (section No. 1) (for example: no mention is made of gastritis, gastric ulcers, a number of liver disorders, etc.), poisoning by mercury (section No. 2) (for example: no mention is made of acute bronchitis, certain psychological disorders, dermatitis, etc.), and poisoning by arsenic (sections Nos. 15 and 16) (for example: no mention is made of occupational cancer, etc.) are listed restrictively whereas the schedule to the Convention is of a general nature and covers all poisoning by these substances.

(b) The activities liable to cause anthrax infection (section No. 25) should also include "loading and unloading or transport of merchandise", as does the Convention.

(c) Unlike the Convention, the lists of occupational diseases do not appear to contain a section on primary epitheliomatous cancer of the skin and the activities that may lead to it.

The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any progress achieved in this connection in its next report.