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Repetition The Committee notes that ever since Comoros ratified the Convention in 1978, it has had to draw the Government’s attention to the need to amend the content of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 on the compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Pursuant to this provision, foreign victims of occupational accidents who have moved abroad receive as compensation only a lump sum equal to three times the amount of the periodical payment granted to them, whereas nationals continue to receive their periodical payments. Foreign dependants no longer residing in Comoros only receive a lump sum not exceeding the value of the periodical payment established by order. Finally, the dependants of a foreign worker employed in Comoros are not entitled to any periodical payments if they did not reside in the country at the time of the worker’s accident. In its latest report, as in those sent since 1997, the Government states that in practice no distinction is made between national and foreign workers in respect of their treatment in terms of occupational accident compensation. It states that foreign workers continue to receive their cash benefits abroad provided that they give their new address. The Government’s report does not however indicate the progress made in respect of the draft text which, according to the information sent by the Government in its previous reports, should repeal the provisions of Decree No. 57 245 which are inconsistent with the Convention. Consequently, the Committee trusts that the Government will take adequate measures, without delay, to bring the national legislation fully into line with the Convention, which provides that foreign nationals of States which have ratified the Convention, and their dependants, shall receive the same treatment as that guaranteed to nationals in respect of compensation for occupational accidents.
Repetition The Committee notes that ever since Comoros ratified the Convention in 1978, it has had to draw the Government’s attention to the need to amend the content of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 on the compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Pursuant to this provision, foreign victims of occupational accidents who have moved abroad receive as compensation only a lump sum equal to three times the amount of the periodical payment granted to them, whereas nationals continue to receive their periodical payments. Foreign dependants no longer residing in Comoros only receive a lump sum not exceeding the value of the periodical payment established by order. Finally, the dependants of a foreign worker employed in Comoros are not entitled to any periodical payments if they did not reside in the country at the time of the worker’s accident.In its latest report, as in those sent since 1997, the Government states that in practice no distinction is made between national and foreign workers in respect of their treatment in terms of occupational accident compensation. It states that foreign workers continue to receive their cash benefits abroad provided that they give their new address. The Government’s report does not however indicate the progress made in respect of the draft text which, according to the information sent by the Government in its previous reports, should repeal the provisions of Decree No. 57 245 which are inconsistent with the Convention. Consequently, the Committee trusts that the Government will take adequate measures, without delay, to bring the national legislation fully into line with the Convention, which provides that foreign nationals of States which have ratified the Convention, and their dependants, shall receive the same treatment as that guaranteed to nationals in respect of compensation for occupational accidents.
Repetition The Committee notes that ever since Comoros ratified the Convention in 1978, it has had to draw the Government’s attention to the need to amend the content of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 on the compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Pursuant to this provision, foreign victims of occupational accidents who have moved abroad receive as compensation only a lump sum equal to three times the amount of the periodical payment granted to them, whereas nationals continue to receive their periodical payments. Foreign dependants no longer residing in Comoros only receive a lump sum not exceeding the value of the periodical payment established by order. Finally, the dependants of a foreign worker employed in Comoros are not entitled to any periodical payments if they did not reside in the country at the time of the worker’s accident.In its latest report, as in those sent since 1997, the Government states that in practice, no distinction is made between national and foreign workers in respect of their treatment in terms of occupational accident compensation. It states that foreign workers continue to receive their cash benefits abroad provided that they give their new address. The Government’s report does not however indicate the progress made in respect of the draft text which, according to the information sent by the Government in its previous reports, should repeal the provisions of Decree No. 57 245 which are inconsistent with the Convention. Consequently, the Committee trusts that the Government will take adequate measures, without delay, to bring the national legislation fully into line with the Convention, which provides that foreign nationals of States which have ratified the Convention, and their dependants, shall receive the same treatment as that guaranteed to nationals in respect of compensation for occupational accidents.
Repetition Article 2 of the Convention. National schedule of occupational diseases. For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 as the schedules annexed to it do not cover all the occupational diseases listed in Article 2 of the Convention. In this respect, the Government indicates in its last report that Order No. 59-73 referred to above has become obsolete and that the schedule of occupational diseases applicable in Comoros is that appended to Article 2 of the Convention. This schedule is communicated to enterprise doctors and to employers’ and workers’ organizations. While taking due note of this information, the Committee considers that it would be more appropriate, particularly with a view to achieving greater clarity and legal security, for the Government to formally repeal the above Order and replace it with a new legislative text recognizing the occupational origin of the diseases in the Schedule attached to Article 2 of the Convention. That would also provide an opportunity to adopt all the technical measures in this respect, thereby guaranteeing the proper operation of the system for the recognition of occupational diseases, for example, by establishing the conditions for the recognition of occupational diseases by physicians who are duly trained in this respect or by establishing minimum periods of exposure to the toxic substances and agents contained in the schedule.Operation of the system for the recognition of occupational diseases. With reference to the comments made previously by the Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Workers of Comoros (USATC) reporting the absence of a technical structure for the recognition of occupational diseases and of a national supervisory mechanism, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is aware of the need to establish an occupational health service in this respect. Among the initiatives taken in this regard, the Government refers to a survey on occupational health undertaken by the General Directorate of Labour at the enterprise level. It also indicates that a study on the basis for a national occupational safety and health policy is currently being prepared. The Committee takes due note of this information and observes that the Government would like to benefit from the technical assistance of the Office with a view to the establishment of a national statistical service. The Committee hopes that the ILO will be in a position to provide the assistance requested in the very near future and that this will also be an occasion to assist the national authorities to improve the operation of the National Social Insurance Fund in general.
The Committee notes that ever since Comoros ratified the Convention in 1978, it has had to draw the Government’s attention to the need to amend the content of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 on the compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Pursuant to this provision, foreign victims of occupational accidents who have moved abroad receive as compensation only a lump sum equal to three times the amount of the periodical payment granted to them, whereas nationals continue to receive their periodical payments. Foreign dependants no longer residing in Comoros only receive a lump sum not exceeding the value of the periodical payment established by order. Finally, the dependants of a foreign worker employed in Comoros are not entitled to any periodical payments if they did not reside in the country at the time of the worker’s accident.
In its latest report, as in those sent since 1997, the Government states that in practice, no distinction is made between national and foreign workers in respect of their treatment in terms of occupational accident compensation. It states that foreign workers continue to receive their cash benefits abroad provided that they give their new address. The Government’s report does not however indicate the progress made in respect of the draft text which, according to the information sent by the Government in its previous reports, should repeal the provisions of Decree No. 57-245 which are inconsistent with the Convention.
Consequently, the Committee trusts that the Government will take adequate measures, without delay, to bring the national legislation fully into line with the Convention, which provides that foreign nationals of States which have ratified the Convention, and their dependants, shall receive the same treatment as that guaranteed to nationals in respect of compensation for occupational accidents.
Article 2 of the Convention. National schedule of occupational diseases. For many years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 as the schedules annexed to it do not cover all the occupational diseases listed in Article 2 of the Convention. In this respect, the Government indicates in its last report that Order No. 59-73 referred to above has become obsolete and that the schedule of occupational diseases applicable in Comoros is that appended to Article 2 of the Convention. This schedule is communicated to enterprise doctors and to employers’ and workers’ organizations. While taking due note of this information, the Committee considers that it would be more appropriate, particularly with a view to achieving greater clarity and legal security, for the Government to formally repeal the above Order and replace it with a new legislative text recognizing the occupational origin of the diseases in the Schedule attached to Article 2 of the Convention. That would also provide an opportunity to adopt all the technical measures in this respect, thereby guaranteeing the proper operation of the system for the recognition of occupational diseases, for example, by establishing the conditions for the recognition of occupational diseases by physicians who are duly trained in this respect or by establishing minimum periods of exposure to the toxic substances and agents contained in the schedule.
Operation of the system for the recognition of occupational diseases. With reference to the comments made previously by the Union of Autonomous Organizations of Comoron Workers (USATC) reporting the absence of a technical structure for the recognition of occupational diseases and of a national supervisory mechanism, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is aware of the need to establish an occupational health service in this respect. Among the initiatives taken in this regard, the Government refers to a survey on occupational health undertaken by the General Directorate of Labour at the enterprise level. It also indicates that a study on the basis for a national occupational safety and health policy is currently being prepared. The Committee takes due note of this information and observes that the Government would like to benefit from the technical assistance of the Office with a view to the establishment of a national statistical service. The Committee hopes that the ILO will be in a position to provide the assistance requested in the very near future and that this will also be an occasion to assist the national authorities to improve the operation of the National Social Insurance Fund in general.
Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee drew the Government’s attention to the provisions of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 respecting the compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases which, in contravention to this provision of the Convention, allows the reduction or, even in some cases, the suppression of entitlement to compensation in the event of an employment accident in the case of foreign workers or their dependants living abroad. In its last report, the Government indicates that at the meeting of the Higher Labour and Employment Council in September 2001, it submitted several draft texts under the Labour Code, which were favourably received by the social partners. Furthermore, a draft text repealing Decree No. 57-245 above will soon be prepared in collaboration with the social partners, taking into account the provisions of the Convention. The Committee notes this information. It trusts that the Government will not fail to take all the necessary measures, either to amend the provisions of section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 referred to above, or to adopt new legislation on occupational injury compensation, so as to give effect to this provision of the Convention, which provides for equality of treatment in respect of compensation for employment accidents for foreign workers who are nationals of a country bound by the Convention and its own nationals without any condition of residence.
The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its report. It also notes the comments sent by the Union of Autonomous Organizations of Comoran Workers (USATC) and the Government’s reply to them.
For many years the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to the need to amend Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 to the extent that the schedules to it do not allow all the occupational diseases listed in Article 2 of the Convention to be covered. In its report, the Government states that texts or amendments relating to labour legislation must be submitted for the approval of the Labour Council before being adopted. This tripartite institution established by the 1984 Labour Code has been unable to operate as yet, thus blocking labour legislation. The Government adds that there has been progress in the area of social security, thanks in particular to technical assistance from the ILO, which is participating in the drafting of new texts to take account of the present-day situation in the Comoros and the provisions of international labour Conventions. As part of this process, the Government plans to take into account the Committee’s comments on Order No. 59-73. The Committee takes due note of this information. It also notes, in connection with the comments of the USATC on the lack of any technical body to determine the occupational nature of diseases and of a national supervisory mechanism, that the Government acknowledges the need to improve the working of the National Social Welfare Fund which is somewhat lethargic. In these circumstances, the Committee expresses the hope that with technical assistance from the ILO the Government will be able to take all necessary measures to ensure that the National Social Welfare Fund functions properly and to amend Order No. 59-73 of 1959 to take account of the following points.
Article 2. (a) The schedules to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 contain, in the left-hand column, a restrictive list of pathological manifestations giving rise to entitlement to compensation for poisoning by lead, occupational benzoylism and arsenic poisoning, whereas the Convention, which is drafted in general terms on this point, includes all pathological manifestations attributable to the conditions listed in the left-hand column of its schedule when they are contracted by workers belonging to the corresponding trades, industries or processes that appear in the right-hand column of the same schedule. It shall therefore be specified in the left‑hand column of the schedules to the abovementioned legislation that the list of symptoms and pathological manifestations is only indicative, as has been done in the right-hand column of the schedules in question. (A possible solution would be to add, for example, at the beginning of the list under the description of the various conditions, the words "including" or "principal diseases …".)
(b) Moreover, the schedules to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 do not mention the following conditions or the activities likely to cause them, which appear in the schedule to the Convention:
(i) poisoning by mercury, its amalgams and compounds and their sequelae,
(ii) poisoning by phosphorus and its compounds, and its sequelae,
(iii) poisoning by halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series,
(iv) anthrax infection,
(v) pathological manifestations due to radiation,
(vi) primary epitheliomatous cancer of the skin (the national legislation mentions only certain forms of dermatosis caused by the use of lubricants in metalwork, whereas the initial Convention is much broader in scope in this respect).
(c) Lastly, the national legislation covers, in respect of arsenic, only its compounds with oxygen or sulphur and, in respect of benzene, only its homologues without referring to their nitro- and amino- derivatives.
The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to provide information on measures adopted that mark real progress in the application of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide copies of any texts that it adopts to this end.
The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government states that the Federal Assembly has been dissolved following an important political crisis and that, once the new Assembly has been established, it will submit for adoption the draft text amending Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959. In view of the fact that it has been raising this matter for several years, the Committee expresses the firm hope that it will be possible for the schedules to the above Order to be modified in the near future in order to bring the national legislation into full conformity with the Convention on the following points:
Article 2. (a) The schedules to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 contain, in the left-hand column, a restrictive list of pathological manifestations giving rise to entitlement to compensation for poisoning by lead, occupational benzolism and arsenic poisoning, whereas the Convention, which is drafted in general terms on this point, includes all pathological manifestations attributable to the conditions listed in the left-hand column of its schedule, when they are contracted by workers belonging to the corresponding trades, industries or processes that appear in the right-hand column of the same schedules. It should therefore be specified in the left-hand column of the schedules to the above-mentioned legislation that the list of symptoms and pathological manifestations is only indicative, as it is in the right-hand column of the schedules in question. (A possible solution would be to add, for example, at the beginning of the list, under the description of the various conditions, the words "including" or "principal diseases ...".)
(i) poisoning by mercury, its amalgams and compounds and their sequelae;
(ii) poisoning by phosphorus or its compounds, and its sequelae;
(iii) poisoning by the halogen derivatives of hydrocarbons of the aliphatic series;
(iv) anthrax infection;
(v) pathological manifestations due to radiation;
(vi) primary epitheliomatous cancer of the skin (the national legislation mentions only certain forms of dermatosis caused by the use of lubricants in metalwork, whereas the Convention is much broader in scope in this respect).
(c) Lastly, the national legislation covers, in respect of arsenic, only its compounds with oxygen or sulphur and, in respect of benzene, only its homologues, without referring to their nitro- and amino-derivatives.
The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report, particularly in regard to the financial difficulties encountered in ensuring operation of the Higher Labour Council whose opinion is necessary for adopting the regulations implementing the 1984 Labour Code. It has also noted the Government's statement to the effect that, in practice, no distinction between national and foreign workers has been recorded and that, in the event of their departure, the latter can receive their occupational accident compensation in the country where they are living provided that they give their new address. The Committee however reminds the Government that section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 on compensation and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases allows, in contravention of Article 1(2) of the Convention, the reduction or even in some cases suppression of rights to compensation resulting from an occupational accident for foreign workers or their beneficiaries living abroad. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures in the near future to amend the above-mentioned legislation in order to ensure full application of the Convention in legislation as well as in practice.
The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report, including reference to the current political situation. The Committee also notes the Government's statement that the regulations for implementation of the Labour Code of 1984 will soon be adopted and will give full effect to the Convention. The Committee recalls in this respect that section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases restricts and, in certain cases, eliminates entitlements to compensation for industrial accidents only with regard to foreign workers or their dependents in case of residence abroad, contrary to Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee would appreciate clarification on how the proposed implementing regulations of the Labour Code will give full effect to the Convention, as there does not appear to be any provision for payment of compensation to injured workers in the Labour Code of 1984, and the Government has made no mention of any proposal to amend section 29 of Decree No. 57-245. The Committee hopes that in its next report the Government will be able to indicate the progress made in giving full effect to the requirements of the Convention.
With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes from the information contained in the Government's report that section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases has still not been amended. It recalls that section 29 of the above Decree restricts, and in certain cases, abolishes entitlements to compensation for industrial accidents only for foreign workers or their dependants in the event of residence abroad, contrary to Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention, which stipulates that equality of treatment in respect of compensation for industrial accidents must be guaranteed to foreign workers and their dependants without any condition as to residence. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to indicate in its next report the measures taken to amend the above-mentioned legislation, in accordance with its assurances, in order to give full effect to the Convention on this point.
Furthermore, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, as soon as they are adopted, the texts implementing the Labour Code of 1984 which, according to the Government, are to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention.
In reply to the Committee's previous comments, the Government indicates that the adoption of the new rules of the Social Provident Fund, which was to take place before the modification of Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959, has been delayed owing to difficulties within the Fund. It adds that it is nevertheless planning to submit a draft modifying the existing text to the Federal Assembly, which will take account of the provisions of Article 2 of the Convention so as to bring the national legislation into conformity with the provisions of this instrument. The Committee takes note of this information. Since it has been raising this matter in its comments for several years, the Committee hopes that it will be possible for the schedules to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 to be modified in the near future and that the Government will take account of the following points:
Article 2. (a) The schedules to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 contain, in the left-hand column, a restrictive list of pathological manifestations giving rise to entitlement to compensation for poisoning by lead, occupational benzolism and arsenic poisoning, whereas the Convention, which is drafted in general terms on this point, includes all pathological manifestations attributable to the conditions listed in the left-hand column of its schedule, when they are contracted by workers belonging to the corresponding trades, industries or processes that appear in the right-hand column of the same schedule. It should therefore be specified in the left-hand column of the schedules of the above-mentioned legislation that the list of symptoms and pathological manifestations is only indicative, as it is in the right-hand column of the schedules in question. (A possible solution would be to add, for example, at the beginning of the list, under the description of the various conditions, the words "including" or "principal diseases ... .")
(ii) poisoning by phosphorus or its compounds and its sequelae;
(c) Lastly, the national legislation covers, in respect of arsenic, only its compounds with oxygen or sulphur and, in respect of benzene, only its homologues, without referring to their nitro- and amido-derivatives.
[The Government is asked to report in detail for the period ending 30 June 1993.]
The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matter raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
The Committee notes with interest that the Government will take into account the provisions of Article 2 of the Convention when it modifies Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959, and that this modification will take place after the adoption of the new rules of the Social Provident Fund. The Committee hopes that the modification will soon take place and that the Government will take account of the following points:
Article 2 of the Convention. (a) The schedules appended to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 contain, in the left-hand column, a restrictive list of pathological manifestations giving the right to compensation for poisoning by lead, occupational benzolism and arsenic poisoning, whereas the Convention, which is drafted on this point in general terms, includes all pathological manifestations attributable to the conditions listed in the left-hand column of its schedule, when they are contracted by workers belonging to the corresponding trades, industries or processes that appear in the right-hand column of the same schedule. It should therefore be specified in the left-hand column of the schedules of the above-mentioned legislation that the list of symptoms and pathological manifestations is only indicative, as is done in the right-hand column of the schedules in question. A possible solution would be to add, for example, at the beginning of this list and under the description of the various conditions, the words "including" or "principal diseases ...".
(b) Moreover, the schedules appended to Order No. 59-73 of 25 April 1959 do not contain the following conditions or the activities likely to cause them, which appear in the schedule of the Convention:
(v) pathological manifestations due to radiations;
(vi) primary epitheliomatous cancer of the skin (the national legislation mentions only certain forms of dermatosis caused by the employment of lubricants in metalwork, whereas the Convention is much broader in scope in this respect).
The Committee notes that the Government has no changes to point out since its last report. However, it notes that the texts to give effect to the 1984 Labour Code are currently being prepared and will be transmitted to the ILO as soon as they are enacted. The Committee hopes that, while drafting the above texts, the Government will give full effect to the provisions of the Convention referred to in its previous comments.
1. Article 1, paragraph 2, of the Convention. The Committee noted that the Government proposed to amend section 29 of Decree No. 57-245 of 24 February 1957 concerning compensation for industrial accidents and occupational diseases, in order to give effect to this provision of the Convention, which stipulates that equality of treatment in respect of compensation for industrial accidents must be guaranteed to foreign workers and their dependents without any condition as to residence. The Committee would like to know what progress has been made in this respect.
2. Article 2. The Committee noted that though no special agreements had been concluded with other bodies or States in accordance with this provision of the Convention, the workers referred to in this Article are covered by the national legislation while working in the country, even if only temporarily as permitted by this provision of the Convention.