Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Medical Examination of Young Persons (Underground Work) Convention, 1965 (No. 124) - Gabon (Ratification: 1968)

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Article 3(2) of the Convention.X-ray film of the lungs. The Committee notes the adoption on 19 November 2021 of Act No. 22/2021 issuing the Labour Code. It notes the Government’s indication in its report that an X-ray film of the lungs must be made on the occasion of the initial medical examination, in accordance with sections 245 and 246 of the Labour Code. However, the Committee notes that sections 245 and 246 merely refer to a “supplementary medical examination”, without stating that an X-ray film of the lungs is compulsory. Recalling that it has been raising this matter for nearly 30 years, the Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that an X-ray film of the lungs is required during the initial medical examination of any person under 21 years of age with a view to their employment or work underground in mines and, if considered necessary from a medical point of view, during subsequent re-examinations.

Article 4(4) and (5). Records of persons who are employed or work underground. The Committee notes with regret the Government’s indication that General Order No. 3018 of 29 September 1953 establishing the model for employers’ records has still not been amended. The Government indicates that a committee drafting the implementing regulations for the new Labour Code has started work to bring Order No. 3018 into conformity with the Convention. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures in the near future to bring General Order No. 3018 of 29 September 1953 into conformity with the Convention, and to require that the employer must make available to workers’ representatives, at their request, the records of persons under 21 years of age employed or working underground, with these records obliged to indicate the date of birth of the aforementioned persons, details of the nature of their work and a certificate of fitness for employment, but not providing any medical information.

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