Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Bosnia and Herzegovina (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its latest report, which indicates that occupational safety and health and the working environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been complicated by the transition process and by application of previous regulations in the area of OSH resulting in incomplete harmonization of regulations with international standards. The Committee further notes that while the report does not make any references to the application of the Convention in the Republic of Srpska, the Government has indicated the intention to establish new OSH regulations in the Federation of BiH, and that a draft law on work protection has been developed for the Brcko District. The Committee notes that despite the information provided by the Government in its report, effect does not appear to have been given to the majority of the provisions of the Convention across all three entities. The Committee therefore invites the Government to make a formal request to the Office for technical assistance in the development of legislation giving effect to the provisions of the Conventions ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and regarding the reporting obligations associated with such ratifications. The Committee also asks the Government to provide a detailed report on the application of each provision of this Convention, in law and in practice, in each of the three entities – the Federation of BiH, the Republic of Srpska and the Brčko District.

Part V of the report form. Application in practice. The Committee notes the information in the 2008 report of the labour inspectorate for the Federation of BiH, attached to the Government’s report, which indicates that there were a total of 102 workplace accidents, of which 92 were serious and ten fatal. The Committee further notes that the construction, metallurgy and forestry industries have the highest number of workplace accidents, and that such accidents are often caused by non-performance of the prescribed OSH measures, lack of training and qualifications of workers and non-use of personal protective equipment. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention, both at the national level and across each of the three entities.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2012.]