Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (Ratification: 1990)

Legislation. The Committee notes the information provided in the Government’s report on the application of the Convention in practice, and notes that the Government once again refers to the Bill on occupational safety and health, which has still not been adopted. It also refers to preliminary draft regulations on the safe use of asbestos, which the Committee has been noting for several years. The Committee notes that the effect given to the Convention is very limited as there are no specific legislative or administrative provisions, as required by the Convention. The Committee also emphasizes that Article 15 of the Convention requires the competent authority to prescribe limits for the exposure of workers to asbestos or other exposure criteria for the evaluation of the working environment, which has still not been done. The Committee notes with concern that, over 20 years after its ratification, adequate legislative or administrative provisions have still not been adopted to give effect to the Convention, and the limits referred to in Article 15 of the Convention have still not been established. The Committee urges the Government to adopt all the necessary measures to give legislative effect to the Convention and to provide information in this regard. The Committee recalls that the Government may seek the technical assistance of the Office if necessary, and requests it to provide information on any developments in this respect.

Article 4. Consultation of the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned on the measures to be taken to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the activities undertaken by the National Council for Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare, with respect to the application of this Convention. The Committee notes that the Government confines itself to indicating the functions of the Council, as set out in the 1979 General Health Act, but has not provided the information requested. The Committee urges the Government to make efforts, as soon as possible, to consult the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned on the measures to be taken to give effect to the provisions of the Convention, and to provide detailed information on the outcome of these consultations.