Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136) - Iraq (Ratification: 1972)

The Committee notes the reference made to a strategic plan including the setting up of a medical centre for occupational diseases and the acquisition, with the assistance of the World Health Organization, of equipment including portable measurements units enabling workplace measurement of hazardous substances and equipment to carry out on-site biological and physiological tests.

Articles 6(3), 8(2), 9(1)(b), 10, 12, 13 and 14 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments on the application of these Articles, the Committee notes that the Government again refers to Instructions No. 6 of 1993, and that no further information is provided regarding effect given to these Articles of the Convention. However, there is insufficient information in Instruction No. 6 for the Committee to be able to determine whether this instruction gives effect to the above provisions of the Convention. Therefore, the Committee again requests the Government to provide further information, in its next report, on measures undertaken or envisaged to give further effect to these provisions of the Convention.

Part IV of the report form. Practical application. The Committee notes the information that a representative of the Ministry of Labour has been designated as a liaison officer in the Occupational Cancer Council to record and to follow up on cases of cancer. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information in this respect and to include information on the functions of the Occupational Cancer Council. The Committee also asks the Government to give a general appreciation of the manner in which the Convention is applied in the country. Please attach extracts from inspection reports and, where such exists, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation; the number and nature of the contraventions reported; and the number, nature and cause of accidents reported.