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

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

With reference to its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the adoption of Act No. 2048/92 reforming the social security scheme, and notes that it contains no provisions concerning the updating of the list of occupational diseases. In this connection, the Government again states 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 be referred for examination to a special committee to be set up by the IKA. The Committee recalls that the Government has been stating for several years that this examination is to take place. In these circumstances, it must again urge the Government to ensure that the necessary steps are taken in the near future to complete the above-mentioned list of occupational diseases so as to take into account the following points, in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention:

(a) Pathalogical 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 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 illnesses caused by these substances. It would therefore be appropriate to make the list of these pathalogical manifestations an indicative one, for example by adding to the end of the left-hand column of sections Nos. 1, 2, 15 and 16 the word "etc."

(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 list of occupational diseases does 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 in its next report to supply information on any progress made in this respect.