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

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1980)

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report.

1. Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government's indications to the effect that the general labour and social security inspectorate intends to establish a register in application of section 9 of Decree No. 183/82 of 27 May 1982 (issuing measures intended to protect workers against the hazards caused by carcinogenic substances or agents) which provides that the registers of reports received from enterprises will be kept by the labour inspectorate. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the follow-up given to this project.

2. Article 5. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous comments on the subject of medical examinations after employment and their periodicity, the Government mentions the compulsory dose-rate checks for workers exposed to ionizing radiation provided in section 302 of Act No. 16736 of 5 January 1996. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether these workers have medical check-ups after their employment. The Committee recalls that under this article of the Convention, workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents must be provided with such medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations, not only during the period of employment but also thereafter, as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards. This ensures medical supervision of workers in regard to the appearance of symptoms of cancer which may appear only some time after cessation of exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply information on the measures taken to provide workers with appropriate medical supervision after exposure to carcinogenic substances and agents.