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

Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) - Mauritius (Ratification: 2012)

The Committee welcomes the detailed information supplied in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, in addition to the numerous documents annexed to the report, namely the national occupational safety and health (OSH) policy of 2001, the list of OSH legislation applicable in the country, the national OSH programme and the national OSH profile, which was prepared with the assistance of the ILO in 2009. The Committee also welcomes the commitment of the Government and the social partners to OSH issues and their efforts to develop a culture of prevention.

Article 2(3) of the Convention. Measures that could be taken, in consultation with social partners, to ratify relevant OSH Conventions. The Committee notes the information that, in addition to the ratification of this Convention, the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), was ratified on 25 July 2014, following consultations with the tripartite Advisory Council for OSH. It also notes that the ratification of these Conventions was part of one of the outcomes of Mauritius’ 2012–14 Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), aimed at improving the quality of employment with increased OSH activities and adequate OSH training for social partners. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the periodic consideration of measures that could be taken to ratify relevant OSH Conventions, in consultation with the social partners, and on the outcome of the consultations held during the period covered by the next report.

Article 4(2)(d). Arrangements to promote cooperation between management, workers and their representatives at the level of the undertaking. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that cooperation between management, workers and their representatives is achieved through safety and health committees, which must be established in workplaces employing 50 or more workers (section 21(1) of the OSH Act of 2005). The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the measures taken, in law and in practice, to ensure that cooperation between management, workers and their representatives is promoted in undertakings employing less than 50 workers.

Article 4(3)(g). Collaboration with relevant insurance and social security schemes. The Committee notes that according to the Government, counselling and guidance with regard to compensation from insurance or social security schemes is offered to injured workers. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on collaboration with insurance and social security schemes covering occupational injuries and diseases, and to indicate any provisions which give effect to this Article of the Convention.

Article 4(3)(h). Support mechanisms for progressive improvement of OSH conditions in micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the informal economy. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that all workplaces are covered by OSH legislation and have access to OSH-related information through the Ministry’s website. However, it notes from the 2009 OSH profile that the informal sector is the least served with regard to OSH, despite its great need, partly due to the fact that authorities are often unaware of the existence of such workplaces. The Committee asks the Government to provide further details on the support mechanisms referred to in this provision of the Convention in relation to micro-enterprises, SMEs and the informal economy.

Article 5(1) and (2)(c). Evaluation and periodical review of the national programme on OSH, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the national OSH programme was developed in consultation with the Advisory Council for OSH and that the continuous review and update of the programme is done as required. The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the evaluation and periodical review of the national OSH programme, in light of the progressive implementation of the OSH-related measures of the 2012–14 DWCP, and to provide information on the outcome of the consultations held in this regard.

Article 4(3)(f). Mechanism for the collection and analysis of data on occupational injuries and diseases. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that data on occupational accidents is collected and analysed by the OSH division of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, while the Ministry’s Occupational Health unit collects and analyses the data on occupational diseases. Furthermore, the Committee notes from the 2009 OSH profile that the collection of national statistics on occupational accidents and diseases meticulously conforms to the ILO code of practice on the recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee asks the Government to provide further details on the manner in which data on occupational injuries and diseases is collected and analysed. It also asks the Government to provide, where such statistics exist, information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of contraventions reported, and the number, nature and cause of accidents and occupational diseases reported.