Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Nicaragua (Ratification: 1981)

The Committee notes the information provided in the Government's latest report and the adoption of the Ministerial Resolution on Occupational Safety and Health, 1993. The Government has indicated that this resolution will provide a framework within which other specific aspects of occupational safety and health can be regulated and recalls that section 3, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the resolution calls upon the Minister of Labour to determine minimum occupational safety and health requirements for, among others, chemical, physical and biological risks.

The Committee would recall that, since its ratification, no provisions have existed to give effect to the Convention. In its report for 1987, the Government indicated that special efforts were being made to establish standards on the safety measures to be taken to prevent the risks of occupational cancer.

The Committee hopes that the necessary steps will be taken in the very near future, in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers concerned, as called for by Article 6(a) of the Convention, to ensure that effect is given to the following provisions of the Convention: Article 1 (periodical determination of carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure is prohibited or made subject to authorization or control); Article 2 (replacement of carcinogenic substances and agents by others less harmful and reduction of the duration of exposure and the number of workers exposed); Article 3 (special measures of protection against the risks of exposure and establishment of a system of records); Article 5 (medical or biological examinations of the workers concerned during the period of employment and thereafter as necessary).