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

Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) - Germany (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report in reply to its previous request concerning the application of Article 21(4) of the Convention on the provision of other means of maintaining income to all workers, irrespective of their nationality, work permit or residence status.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that by 31 December 2013, a total of 564,927 workers in 17,337 enterprises had been exposed to asbestos in their current or previous activities and that 88,979 workers were currently exposed to asbestos, particularly in demolition, renovation and repair work. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government, new cases of occupational cancer were attributable to earlier exposure to asbestos and that in 2013 there were 3,636 suspected cases of asbestosis, 1,926 confirmed cases and 159 fatalities; 4,079 suspected cases of lung cancer, 794 recognized cases and 559 fatalities; and 1,425 suspected cases of mesothelioma, 978 recognized cases and 734 fatalities. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the number and nature of occupational diseases reported as being caused by asbestos, and the measures taken to reduce this number.