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

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) - Latvia (Ratification: 1994)

Article 7 of the Convention. Review of the situation regarding occupational safety and health at appropriate intervals. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government indicating that the Labour Protection Law prescribes that the Ministry of Welfare is responsible for the coordination of labour protection issues at the national level, and that issues related to the assessment of the labour protection situation are also examined by the National Tripartite Cooperation Council and the Labour Affairs Tripartite Cooperation Subcouncil. Furthermore, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that in 2008 the “Guidelines for the Development of the Labour Protection Field 2008–13” were adopted by means of Cabinet Order No. 213 of 17 April 2008, and the “Plan for the Development of the Labour Protection Field 2011–13” was developed to ensure the implementation of these guidelines. The Committee also notes the information provided by the Government that the Ministry of Welfare is aiming to develop a planning document, taking into account the current situation within the country, as well as the strategic objectives and challenges referred to in the European Commission communication of 6 June 2014 on an European Union Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2014–20. This includes issues relating to the implementation of labour protection in small and medium-sized enterprises; prevention of work-related diseases by addressing the impact of both existing and emerging working environment risk factors, and ageing of the working population. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the results of the implementation of the aforementioned measures.

Article 12(c). Responsibilities of those who design, manufacture, import, provide or transfer machinery, equipment and substances for occupational use. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the regulatory enactments do not prescribe a mandatory duty for producers or importers to perform scientific studies in order to ascertain the safety of goods or equipment. The Committee requests the Government to take all necessary legislative measures in order to give full effect to Article 12(c) of the Convention, and keep the Committee informed of developments in this regard.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning the number of employees in undertakings, institutions and organizations supervised by the state labour inspectorate. The Committee notes that these figures indicate an increase in the number of occupational accidents, but a decrease in the number of occupational diseases during the reporting period (2009–14). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures undertaken or envisaged to address the increase in the number accidents and to continue to provide information on the practical application of the Convention.