Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Portugal (Ratification: 1999)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers–National Trade Unions (CGTP–IN), received with the Government’s report.

Article 21 of the Convention. Notification of occupational diseases caused by asbestos. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government on the number of workers exposed to asbestos, cases of occupational disease reported and the activities carried out by the labour inspection services to enforce the relevant legislation. The Committee notes with concern that the CGTP–IN refers, with respect to the under-reporting of occupational diseases related to asbestos exposure, to a 2015 study, according to which 97 per cent of cases of malignant mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos were not reported as occupational diseases. Recalling the resolution concerning asbestos, adopted by the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference, June 2006 and, referring to its comments on the application of Articles 4(1) and 11(d) and (e) of the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), and Articles 2–5 of its Protocol of 2002, concerning the measures needed and taken to address the under reporting of occupational diseases, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken to ensure the functioning of the system of notification of occupational diseases caused by asbestos and, in that regard, to indicate the number of cases of occupational diseases caused by exposure to asbestos that have been reported in the country over the last five years as well as the cases of malignant mesothelioma over the same period.

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