Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

White Lead (Painting) Convention, 1921 (No. 13) - Suriname (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report. It notes in particular the Government’s indication that it seriously considers an overall revision of the Safety Act of 1947 and its enabling regulations. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee would draw the Government’s attention to the following points.

1. Articles 1, paragraph 1, and 6 of the Convention. Consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that mechanisms for consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations have been established and that they are held within the Labour Advisory Board. The Government further indicates that such consultations are held in case they are needed which was, however, not the case until now. The Government nevertheless announces that it intends to align the provision of article 2 of the Safety Regulation No. 4 of 1949, authorizing the Inspector General of the Labour Inspection to grant, inter alia, exemptions from article 1 of the Safety Regulation No. 4 providing for a general prohibition to use white lead, sulphate of lead or products containing these pigments in the internal painting of buildings or ships, with the provisions of Articles 1 and 6 of the Convention in the framework of the revision of the Safety Act of 1947. In view of this fact, the Committee hopes that the Government will proceed to the elaboration and adoption of a revised Safety Act in the near future which includes consultation mechanisms with employers’ and workers’ organizations other than ad hoc mechanisms, to ensure that full effect is given to Article 1, paragraph 1, and Article 6 of the Convention.

With regard to exemptions from the general prohibition to use white lead that might be granted by virtue of article 2 of the Safety Regulations No. 4, the Government indicates that the establishment of criteria for granting such exemptions will be considered in the process of the overall revision of the Safety Act, 1947. The Committee, taking due note of this information, requests the Government to supply information on any progress made with respect to the overall revision of the Safety Act of 1947.

2. Article 7. Statistics on morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, at present, no statistics are available with regard to morbidity and mortality due to lead poisoning among working painters. However, measures have been taken to collect such data. The Committee therefore requests the Government to specify the measures taken to collect statistical data on lead poisoning among working painters. It hopes that the next report of the Government will contain these statistical data which have been requested by the Committee for a number of years, including a description of the statistical methods adopted.