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

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) - Hungary (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's report, as well as the position of the National Organization of Hungarian Trade Unions with respect to the application of the Convention included in the Government's report.

Articles 2 and 6 of the Convention. (a) In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, while apparently much legislation existed regulating occupational health services, there was no statutory obligation for the provision of such services. In its report for the period ending 30 June 1992, the Government indicated that a new Act on Labour Safety was being prepared, in consultation with the representative organizations of employers and workers, and that it was proposed that this Act include the obligation of employers to ensure occupational health services. The Committee notes the comments made by the National Organization of Hungarian Trade Unions that there is a lack, in the country, of national policy with respect to occupational health services, as well as a lack of such services. The National Organization of Hungarian Trade Unions adds that, if adopted, the draft Act on Occupational Safety, along with the proposed ministerial decrees, might provide the opportunity to implement the Convention.

The Committee notes from the Government's latest report that the Bill on Occupational Safety includes a provision requiring employers to provide occupational health services (now called "Employment Health Services") to all workers. It further notes the indication in the Government's report that the Bill was discussed by the tripartite Council for the Reconciliation of Interests and has been submitted to Parliament. Debate on the Bill was scheduled for autumn 1993. The Committee hopes that the Bill will be adopted in the near future and that it will provide for the establishment of occupational health services with the functions enumerated in Article 5 and will ensure the application of the Convention with respect to the organization and conditions of operation of such services and, in particular, with respect to Articles 8, 14 and 15. The Government is requested to provide a copy of the text of the Occupational Safety Bill as soon as it has been adopted.

Article 3 and point VI of the report form. The Commitee notes the indication in the Government's latest report that occupational health services have been available for 40 per cent of the active wage-earners, which represents a decrease of 10 per cent from statistics of previous years. The Government is requested to continue to provide information on the progress made in developing occupational health services for all workers and, in accordance with point VI of the report form, to continue to provide statistics available on the number of workers covered by occupational health services.