Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1988)

Legislation. Articles 2 and 4 of the Convention. Formulation, implementation and periodic review of a coherent national policy on occupational health services, in consultation with the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes with satisfaction the adoption of Decrees Nos 127/014 and 128/014 of 13 May 2014, which regulate the application of the Convention, the former in all activities and the latter in the chemical industry, and which give effect to most of the provisions of the Convention. These Decrees were adopted in the context of tripartite social dialogue. Decree No. 127/014 was examined in the National Occupational Safety and Health Council (CONASSAT) in consultation with the employers’ and workers’ organizations that are members of the Council, and Decree No. 128/014 was also discussed in the CONASSAT and consultations were held with the Union of Chemical Industry Workers (STIQ), the Inter-Union Assembly of Workers–Workers’ National Convention (PIT–CNT), the Uruguayan Association of Chemical Industries (ASIQUR) and the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU). Section 5 of both Decrees sets forth the manner in which the services are to be established in small and medium-sized and large enterprises, while section 16(2) of Decree No. 127/014 provides that, within five years of its entry into force, all branches of activity will have occupational prevention and health services. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress achieved in establishing health services for all workers.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.