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

Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Iraq (Ratification: 1987)

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

1. Article 4(b) of the Convention. In previous direct requests, the Committee called attention to this Article of the Convention with reference to giving effect to the detailed measures suggested under Recommendation No. 120, and requested the Government to provide information on any specific guidelines, directive or instructions established by the labour inspection service, pursuant to Instructions No. 22 concerning occupational safety and health and section 114(II)(b) of the Labour Code of 1987. The Committee notes from the information supplied in the Government's latest report that the competent authorities conduct inspection in places of work to ensure compliance with the pertinent provisions of Regulation No. 74 of 1968, the Labour Code of 1987, and the instructions established under Instructions No. 22. The Committee, however, notes that the Government's report has provided no information on any specific guideline or directive that have been issued by the competent authorities in regard to the detailed suggestions contained under Recommendation No. 120. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply this information in its next report.

2. Article 10. In its earlier direct requests, the Committee requested the Government to indicate the laws or regulations adopted to ensure that a comfortable and steady temperature is maintained in all premises used by workers covered under the Convention. The Committee notes the indication made by the Government in its latest report that article 5, paragraph 2, of Instructions No. 22 of 1987 provides that appropriate premises equipped with, inter alia, heating and air-conditioning must be placed at the disposal of workers for resting and taking their meals, and that new detailed instructions are currently being prepared on the subject in conformity with Law No. 89 of 1981 on Public Health and article 5, paragraph 2, of Instructions No. 22 of 1987. The Committee hopes that the new instructions will cover all premises used by workers and that the measures envisaged will take into consideration the suggestions contained in Part VI of Recommendation No. 120; it trusts that the Government will supply the text of the pertinent instructions as soon as they are adopted.

3. Article 12. The Committee previously noted section 5(5) of Instructions No. 22 which provides that the employer shall provide wholesome drinking-water to workers in the summertime, and requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that water or some wholesome drink is made available to workers throughout the year. The Committee notes from the Government's latest report that article 9 of the draft new detailed instructions on the general conditions that enterprises must comply with provides for the proper supply of potable water to all workplaces employing more than four workers. It requests the Government to supply the text of these instructions once they are adopted.

4. Article 14. In previous direct requests, the Committee had requested the Government to indicate the laws and regulations adopted to ensure that sufficient and suitable seats are supplied to workers and that workers are given reasonable opportunities for using them. The Committee notes the Government's reference to article 5, paragraph 2, of Instructions No. 22 which provides that appropriate premises equipped with, inter alia, seats and bedding must be placed at the disposal of workers for resting and taking their meals. The Committee requests the Government to furnish additional information on any measures taken to ensure that workers be supplied with sufficient and suitable seats and be given reasonable opportunities of using them in their offices or other work premises.

5. Article 16. The Committee notes the Government's reference to the provisions on ventilation, lighting and air-conditioning contained in article 7 of Regulation No. 74 of 1968, paragraph 19 of article 5 of Instructions No. 22 of 1987, and article 6 of the new instructions that are presently being prepared. The Committee notes that these provisions do not refer particularly to work in underground and windowless premises. The Committee hopes that, on the occasion of the drafting of the new instructions currently being prepared, consideration will be given to addressing the specific requirements of hygiene for underground and windowless work premises, in the light of Article 16 of the Convention and Part XIII of Recommendation No. 120 which suggests in particular that, as far as circumstances allow, workers should not be required to work continuously in underground or windowless premises, but should work there in rotation.

6. Article 18. The Committee notes that detailed instructions on the protection against vibration have been elaborated and approved, and requests the Government to supply the text of these new instructions as soon as they have been promulgated under Act No. 89 of 1981 on Public Health.

7. The Committee would appreciate it if the Government would, in its next report, give a general appreciation of the application of the Convention, including information on the number of workers covered by legislation, the number and the nature of the contraventions reported, etc., as requested in Part IV of the report form on the Convention approved by the Governing Body.