Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

In comments it has been making since 1984, the Committee noted that there were no specific laws or regulations to apply the provisions of the Convention. In 1987, the Government indicated that special efforts were being made to establish standards on the safety measures to be taken to prevent the risks of occupational cancer. In its latest report, the Government has made reference to difficulties faced by the country in the last 13 years which have hindered the implementation of national occupational safety and health programmes. The Government adds, however, that the General Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health has just begun a series of actions aimed at identifying risk situations and establishing measures of control and that the Ibero-American Institute of Co-operation has begun to assist the Government in the drafting of Ministerial resolutions and agreements to regulate certain aspects of safety and health, taking into account the Committee of Experts' comments.

The Committee hopes that the necessary steps will be taken in the very near future, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned, as called for by Article 6(a) of the Convention, to ensure that effect is given to the following provisions of the Convention: Article 1 (periodical determination of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or made subject to authorization or control); Article 2 (replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by others less harmful and reduction of the duration of exposure and the number of workers exposed); Article 3 (special measures of protection against the risks of exposure and establishment of a system of records); and Article 5 (medical or biological examinations of the workers concerned during the period of employment and thereafter as necessary).

[The Government is requested to provide a detailed report for the period ending 30 June 1994.]