Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Iraq (Ratification: 1966)

Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government according to which statistics concerning lead poisoning among working painters are not available.

For several years now, the Committee has recalled that Article 7 of the Convention provides that statistics as to morbidity and mortality with regard to lead poisoning among working painters shall be obtained. In previous comments, the Committee had noted that section 8(a) of the Instructions for the Prevention of Lead Poisoning among Painting Workers provides that cases of lead poisoning shall be reported and statistics kept and that, under section 9, the Department of Occupational Health and Safety in the Ministry of Labour is responsible for supervising the implementation of the instructions. In its report of 1993, the Government had indicated that cases of lead poisoning shall be reported to the Labour Inspectorate and that the Ministry of Health represents the competent authority responsible for keeping statistics concerning morbidity and morality due to lead poisoning, but that no such statistics were available. In its latest communication of 1997, the Government continues indicating that no statistics regarding lead poisoning among working painters are available. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to apply this Article of the Convention and will collect data to obtain statistics with regard to lead poisoning among working painters as to morbidity and mortality, and to ensure full implementation of all Articles of the Convention.