Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Côte d'Ivoire (Ratification: 1973)

The Committee notes that, despite a firm promise that the provisions of the Decree of 1 March 1995 would be aligned with the conclusions of the National Seminar on Occupational Risks related to Benzene and Prevention Strategies, held in Abidjan in 1998, the Government merely states in its last report that there has been no change in the legislation. However, the Government indicates that the practice of enterprises has been aligned with the abovementioned conclusions. It also indicates that the Directorate of Occupational Medicine ensures scrupulous observance of the abovementioned conclusions in its inspections of enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps in the very near future to revise the abovementioned Decree to ensure that full effect is given to the provisions of the following Articles of the Convention: Article 6, paragraph 2 (the concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment not to exceed a ceiling value of 25 parts per million (80 mg/m³, or 0.08 g/ m³)), and Article 11, paragraph 2 (prohibition on young persons under 18 years of age from being employed in work processes involving exposure to benzene or products containing benzene, except in the context of education or training).