Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention, 1925 (No. 18) - Colombia (Ratification: 1933)

In its previous direct request the Committee drew the Government's attention to the fact that item 35 on the types of work liable to cause anthrax infection, of section 1 of Decree No. 0778 of 1987 concerning workers not covered by the compulsory social security scheme, does not mention among such types of work, as required by the Convention, "loading and unloading or transport of merchandise". The absence of this specification means that it is not possible to establish an automatic presumption of the occupational origin of the disease for workers (such as dockers) who are exposed to anthrax infection because they transport or handle merchandise that has previously, without their knowledge, been in contact with infected animals or animal carcasses.

In its reply the Government states that item 35 of section 1 of Decree No. 0778 recognizes the occupational origin of anthrax infection contracted by workers who have been in contact, in whatever form, with merchandise contaminated by infected animals. The Committee notes this information. It observes, however, that the wording of item No. 35 covers only contact with animals and the handling of animal carcasses and not merchandise in general, as required by the Convention. Consequently, the Committee again expresses the hope that the Government will shortly adopt the necessary measures to bring item 35 of section 1 of Decree No. 0778 of 1987 into full conformity with the requirements of the Convention.