Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1962)

The Committee notes that, according to the information supplied by the Government in its report, Order No. 16 of 27 May 1969 concerning the employment of women, section 8 of which prohibits the employment of women in underground work in mines, quarries and galleries, is still in force and continues to give effect to the Convention. The Committee further notes that, in virtue of section 83 of the Labour Law, Act No. 92/007 of 14 August 1992, an order to be issued by the Minister of Labour after consultations with the National Committee of Health and Safety at Work, as defined in section 120, shall determine the types of employment prohibited to female workers and pregnant women. The Committee notes that the abovementioned Order No. 16 includes a series of provisions, referring to arduous or unhealthy works which are prohibited to women. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether, in addition to the list of arduous or unhealthy works included in Order No. 16, the Government considers the adoption of a new order under section 83 of the Labour Code and, if so, to supply a copy to the International Labour Office in due course.

Moreover, the Committee notes that, according to the Government, the Convention is applied in a satisfying manner because the customs and social practices of the country exclude women from underground work, and because there are not many mines in Cameroon. It notes that the labour inspectors visit systematically the mines and quarries before and during their operation. The Committee asks the Government to continue providing information, in accordance with Part V of the report form, concerning the practical application of the Convention, including all available statistical data, as well as extracts from reports of the labour inspection services.