Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Belgium (Ratification: 1988)

Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest, from information provided by the Government in its report, the adoption and preparation of new legislation, including:

-- the Royal Order of 18 January 1993 issuing the list of professional titles and specific occupational qualifications;

-- the Royal Order of 15 February 1999 amending the Royal Order of 23 October 1994 establishing standards with which hospitals and their services must comply.

The Committee also notes the Government's statement that the CNAI and the National Council of Hospital Establishments (CNEH) are the bodies responsible for the adoption and application of the policy set out in Article 2, paragraph 1.

Furthermore, the Committee reminds the Government that in its previous comments it requested it to provide detailed information on the progress achieved in taking the necessary measures to provide remuneration which is likely to attract persons to the profession and retain them in it, in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 2. It hopes that the Government will provide detailed comments on this matter in its next report.

Article 5, paragraph 1. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Royal Order of 3 May 1999 to amend the Royal Order of 22 October 1975 governing the organization and operation of the CNAI, which expands its board by three members with a view to providing the trade unions with representation, and the Royal Order of 28 April 1999 amending the Royal Order of 24 March 1989 respecting the composition of the CNEH, which expands the representation of nursing personnel with the objective of achieving a more balanced representation for the formulation of appropriate opinions.

Article 7. The Committee notes the information that nursing personnel are also covered by the Act respecting workers' welfare of 4 August 1996 and the Royal Order issued thereunder of 27 March 1998 on welfare policies. The Committee also notes that the opinion of the CNAI was requested with regard to the recognition of the occupational nature of the disease in the event of accidental exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It hopes that the Government will continue to supply information on any progress achieved in this respect and on the adoption of any other measures, in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers concerned, to safeguard the situation of nursing personnel.