Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Benin (Ratification: 1960)

Article 3(1) of the Convention. Prohibition on the employment of young persons and women. In reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s reply indicating that the revision of Ministerial Order No. 132/MFPTRA/MSP/DC/SGM/DT/SST, establishing the types of work and the categories of enterprises which are prohibited for women, pregnant women and young persons, as well as the age until which the prohibition applies, will be envisaged once the current review of the Labour Code has been completed, including the necessary amendments. In this regard, the Government indicates that the issue of revising the Order was discussed at the second meeting of the National Commission on Occupational Safety and Health (CNSST) in October 2012 and that the new wording proposed by the commissioners of the CNSST takes into account the comments made by the Committee in this regard. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that the draft Decree establishing the list of the worst forms of child labour was submitted to the Council of Ministers for consideration after being reviewed at the December 2014 session of the National Labour Council. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on developments relating to the revision of Order No. 132/MFPTRA/MSP/DC/SGM/DT/SST with regard to the prohibition of women in any painting work of an industrial character involving the use of white lead or sulphate of lead or other products containing these pigments. It also requests the Government to provide a copy of the Decree establishing the list of the worst forms of child labour once it has been adopted.

Article 7. Statistics on morbidity and mortality. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), which is responsible for the provision of statistics on occupational diseases, has not received any notifications of cases of morbidity or mortality due to lead poisoning. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing statistics on cases of morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning.

Technical assistance. In reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Government wishes to receive assistance from the Office for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention, particularly in the informal sector of the economy. The Committee hopes that the Office will provide the technical assistance requested by the Government.