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

Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Iraq (Ratification: 1987)

1. The Committee notes with interest the information supplied in the Government's first report and the adoption of the Instructions No. 22 concerning occupational safety and health. The Committee recalls that Article 4(b) of the Convention provides that governments shall ensure that such effect as may be possible and desirable under national conditions is given to the provisions of the Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Recommendation, 1964, or to equivalent provisions. This Recommendation suggests more detailed measures for ensuring the full application of the general principles embodied in the Convention. The Committee notes that section 114(II)(b) of the Iraqi Labour Code of 1987 empowers the labour inspection service to provide information and technical advice to the social partners concerned on the most effective measures necessary for ensuring worker protection. The Government is requested to provide information on any specific guidelines, directives or instructions established by the labour inspection service, or any other detailed measures which may exist to facilitate adequate compliance with the general principles set forth in the Instructions No. 22.

2. The Government is requested to provide further information on the following points:

Article 10. The Government is requested to indicate the laws or regulations adopted to ensure that a comfortable and steady temperature is maintained in all premises used by workers which are covered by this Convention. In this regard, the Government may wish to refer to part VI of the Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Recommendation which may be of assistance in the elaboration of measures to be taken to ensure the best possible conditions of temperature in the workplace.

Article 12. The Committee notes that under section 5(5) of the Instructions No. 22 the employer shall provide wholesome drinking water to workers in the summertime. The Government is requested to indicate the measures taken to ensure that water or some wholesome drink is made available to workers throughout the year. The Government may wish to refer to part VIII of the Recommendation which suggests detailed measures for providing wholesome drinking water to workers.

Article 14. The Government is requested to indicate the laws or regulations adopted to ensure that sufficient and suitable seats are supplied to workers and that workers are given reasonable opportunities for using them. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to part XI of Recommendation No. 120 which suggests the measures to be taken to ensure sufficient and suitable seats for workers.

Article 16. The Government is requested to indicate the laws or regulations establishing standards of hygiene for work which is normally performed in underground or windowless premises. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to part XIII of Recommendation No. 120 which suggests, in particular, that workers should not be required to work continuously in underground or windowless premises.

Article 18. The Government is requested to indicate the laws or regulations adopted to diminish the harmful effects of vibrations on workers. In this regard, the Committee would call the Government's attention to part XV of Recommendation No. 120 which sets forth measures to be taken to reduce the harmful effects of vibration.

3. The Government is also requested to provide information on the practical application of the Convention, such as the number of workers covered by the relevant legislation and the number and nature of contraventions reported, as called for in point IV of the report form.