Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167) - Dominican Republic (Ratification: 1998)

Article 1 of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report in response to its previous comments regarding the application of the Convention to all construction workers. In particular, it notes that the Government refers to section 2.3.3 of Resolution No. 04/2007 of the Secretary of State for Labour establishing general and specific conditions of occupational safety and health, which requires the main contractor to obtain the Ministry of Labour’s approval of the occupational safety and health programme before beginning construction work. It also notes the Government’s further indication that this programme applies to all workers, regardless of whether they are formal or informal workers, and whether or not they are registered. Moreover, the Committee observes that, under section 2.3.2.4 of this Resolution, the term “worker” refers to all persons employed in construction. The Committee notes this information.

Article 3. Consultations. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous direct request regarding consultation with the social partners in joint committees and technical working groups. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on how often these technical groups meet and on the issues discussed.

Article 9. Design and planning of a construction project. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous direct request regarding the requirement to take into account the safety and health of workers in the design and planning of a construction project. In this respect, it notes that, under section 2.3.3 of Resolution No. 04/2007, the main contractor is required to obtain the Ministry of Labour’s approval of the occupational safety and health programme for all workers before beginning construction work. The Committee takes note of this information.

Article 34. Reporting of accidents and diseases. In its previous comments, the Committee requested information on any progress made in the national strategy for the reduction of occupational accidents in the construction sector and on the procedures for reporting occupational accidents and diseases involving unregistered workers. The Committee observes that the Government has not provided information on these matters. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information in this regard.

Article 35. Adoption of the necessary measures for the effective enforcement of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to provide information on the follow-up to the actions agreed by a tripartite technical group on ten basic points relating to occupational safety and health, including cooperation between employers and workers and some preventive and protective measures applicable to all construction workers. The Committee observes that the Government has not provided information on this matter. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide information in this regard.