Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Medical Examination of Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1946 (No. 77) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1973)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation on the following points:

In the comments it has been making for more than 20 years, the Committee has drawn the Government's attention to the absence of any provisions in laws or regulations to give effect to Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the Convention. On several occasions the Government has referred in its reports to the adoption of the General Regulations of the Act on Health, Occupational Safety and Welfare, which was to give effect to the above-mentioned provisions of the Convention. In its latest report the Government provides information on specific activities for organizing the operation of medical services in enterprises, which have led to the preparation of a Pilot Plan for a Medical Reconnaissance Service. According to the Government, the Pilot Plan will contribute to providing information and experience for implementing the Regulations on Medical Services in Enterprises which have already been drafted. According to the Government, the Plan should go into operation in the early part of 1995 after the most representative employers' and workers' organizations have been consulted. The Committee's comments, the Government concludes, will then be given effect. The Committee takes note of this statement. It hopes that the adoption of the General Regulations of the Act on Health, Occupational Safety and Welfare and the Regulations on Medical Services in Enterprises will enable provisions to be adopted on the medical examination of young persons employed in industry, which will apply all the provisions of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on progress towards the adoption of the above-mentioned Regulations and on any other measure taken to ensure compliance with the Convention. The Committee suggests that the Government may wish to call upon the Office for technical assistance in this matter. Article 2. The Committee draws the Government's attention to the fact that the medical examination provided for in the Convention is to certify not only that the young person is in good health, but also that he is fit for the work in question.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.