Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) - Anguilla

1. The Committee takes note of the Government’s report. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous comments, the Government has indicated that no regulations have yet been issued to ensure the protection of workers against hazards due to air pollution. The Committee recalls in this regard that the obligations under this Convention in respect of air pollution were accepted and made applicable to Anguilla by declaration without modification dated 11 July 1980. The Committee further recalls that it had in several previous comments drawn the attention of the Government to Article 4 of the Convention which provides that national laws or regulations shall prescribe that measures be taken for the prevention and control of, and protection against, occupational hazards in the working environment due to air pollution and that provisions concerning the practical implementation of these measures may be adopted through technical standards, codes of practice or other appropriate methods.

2. The Committee also recalls that it had in several previous comments made since the year 1991 expressed the hope that the Government would take the necessary measures either by means of adopting regulations under section 20(1) of Labour Ordinance No. 8 of 1996 or by adopting other appropriate methods to ensure the protection of workers against hazards due to air pollution.

3. The Committee further recalls that the Government had in its report furnished in the year 2000 indicated that it intended before the end of the year to take measures to ensure that national laws and regulations are prescribed in accordance with the Convention. In the circumstances, the Committee regrets to note that the Government has still not taken the necessary measures to protect workers against the hazards caused by air pollution.

4. The Committee trusts that the Government will in the very near future take appropriate measures to protect workers against the hazards of air pollution and requests the Government to indicate in its next report, the measures taken or envisaged in this regard.