Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Suriname

Workmen's Compensation (Accidents) Convention, 1925 (No. 17) (Ratification: 1976)
Workmen's Compensation (Occupational Diseases) Convention (Revised), 1934 (No. 42) (Ratification: 1976)
Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118) (Ratification: 1976)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on social security, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 17 (workers’ compensation), 42 (workers’ compensation (occupational diseases)) and 118 (equality of treatment) together.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government according to which the ratification process of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

Article 7 of Convention No. 17. Additional help of a third person. The Committee had previously been pointing to the fact that no measures have been taken to include provisions on additional compensation, in cases where an accident incapacitates a worker in a way that he or she needs the constant help of another person, in line with Article 7 of Convention. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government that the draft Industrial Accidents Act will address the issue related to additional compensation as established by Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee firmly hopes that the draft legislation related to compensation due to employment injury will be adopted without delay, ensuring the provision of additional compensation to injured workers who need the help of a third person because of the degree or nature of their disability.

Article 2 of Convention No. 42. List of occupational diseases. The Committee notes that a draft Industrial Accidents Act has been approved by the Council of Ministers and the State Council and submitted to the social partners for final comments. Moreover, the Committee notes that the new draft of the Occupational Safety and Health Act has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval, which includes a new list of occupational diseases according to the most up-to-date ILO standards in this regard. The Committee firmly hopes that the draft Industrial Accidents Act and the draftOccupational Safety and Health Act will be adopted in the near future and will be in compliance with the ratified international labour standards concerning employment injury protection at the time of its adoption.The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the progress made in this regard and to provide a copy of both Acts once adopted.

Article 2 of Convention No. 42. Implementing regulations. The Committee recalls that in its previous comments, it requested the Government to provide information regarding regulations as to the burden of proof of origin of occupational diseases, particularly concerning poisoning by mercury or lead. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on regulations relating to the burden of proof of the origin of occupational diseases, especially with regard to mercury or lead poisoning.

Articles 4, 5 and 7 of Convention No. 118. Equality of treatment of workers living abroad. The Committee had previously recalled the need to amend section 6(8) of the Industrial Accidents Act, which, contrary to the Convention, restricts payment of employment injury pensions to beneficiaries residing abroad. The Committee notes with regret the information that no specific provisions have been included in the draft Industrial Accidents Act to ensure compliance with Articles 4, 5, and 7 of the Convention and that issues related to the payments of employment injury benefits abroad will be implemented in the upcoming amendments of the draft legislation. The Committee once again wishes to recall that Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention guarantee the payment abroad of employment injury benefits to nationals and foreign workers, and that financial arrangements in this regard may be provided, according to Article 7(1) of the Convention, through bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded by countries which also accepted the obligations of the Convention as to the same branch. The Committee urges the Government to ensure that the amendment process to the Industrial Accidents Act will guarantee the payment of long-term employment injury benefits to injured workers and their dependants who live abroad in compliance with Articles 4, 5 and 7 of the Convention. In addition, the Committee requests the Government to indicate if bilateral or multilateral agreements have been concluded with other Member States which accepted the obligations of the Convention in relation to employment injury benefits.