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

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

Further to its observation, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 6(2) of the Convention. Concentration of benzene in the air of places of employment not exceeding a ceiling value of 25 parts per million (80 mg/m³, or 0.08 g per m³). Noting that, according to the Government, Decree No. 95–307 of 1 March 1995 gives full effect to this provision, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the measures taken to ensure that this rate is not exceeded, including, for example, extracts from relevant labour inspectorate reports.

Article 11(2). Prohibition upon 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. For many years, the Committee has been recalling that this provision of the Convention prohibits 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, subject to adequate technical and medical supervision. Indicating that the Convention does not permit other exceptions, such as the employment of young persons with special authorization by a physician, as contained in section 4 of Decree No. 95–307, the Committee requested the Government to amend the legislation and to take steps to ensure the application of this Article in practice. The Government reiterates that this exception will be repealed during the next revision of the regulations. The Committee requests the Government to provide more concrete information concerning the amendment of the legislation concerned. Pending the adoption of the amendments announced, the Committee requests the Government to take practical steps without delay to ensure that young persons under 18 years of age are not employed in the work mentioned, even with special authorization by a physician, and to provide information on the steps taken and their impact.