Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) - Brazil (Ratification: 1966)

The Committee has noted the information provided in the Government's report in reply to the comments made by the National Commission of Workers in Nuclear Energy (CONTREN) (received by the Office on 4 January 1993) concerning the dangerous working conditions to which workers are exposed in the nuclear industry. In particular, the Committee notes the Government's indication that, given the absence of valid statistics on occupational diseases in the nuclear energy sector, the Ministry of Labour has proposed to undertake coordinated action with the social partners to determine the actual situation in the nuclear industry in order to bring about the necessary changes for the benefit of the entire population. The Government has also indicated that the entire process in respect of working conditions in the country needs to be reformulated and invigorated by means of a system of collective agreements.

The Committee further notes that section 6 of Decree No. 623 of 4 August 1992 establishing the System of Protection for the Brazilian Nuclear Programme (SIPRON) empowers the Commission for the Coordination of Protection of the Brazilian Nuclear Programme (COPRON) to elaborate drafts for the revision of legislation on nuclear safety. In this regard, the Committee would refer the Government to its general observation of 1992 under this Convention which sets forth the latest recommendations made by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) concerning exposure to ionizing radiations (Publication No. 60 of 1990) and hopes that the Government will review its legislation in this light. The Government is requested to communicate to the Office any information collected by the Ministry of Labour concerning the present situation in the nuclear industry, as well as any collective agreements relevant to the application of the Convention. The Government is also requested to indicate the steps taken or envisaged to revise existing legislation in the light of the latest ICRP recommendation.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.