Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Syrian Arab Republic (Ratification: 1979)

1. Articles 2 and 6(a) of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government's indication that establishments use non-carcinogenic or less harmful substitute substances when they existed. Referring also to Article 6(a) of the Convention, the Committee asked the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that this practice is complied with as far as possible. The Committee notes that in its latest report the Government indicates that it has requested the General Social Insurance Institution for information on cases in which carcinogenic substances have been replaced by non-carcinogenic or less harmful substances, as well as information on the measures taken or contemplated so that the number of workers exposed to carcinogenic substances and the duration and level of exposure are reduced to the minimum compatible with safety. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply information on the application in practice of Article 2 and the measures adopted under Article 6(a), including details on any revision of national policy and legislation to which the Government refers in regard to activities involving exposure to ionizing radiations.

2. Article 5. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that in the review of the Social Insurance Code it was planned to include provisions for workers to remain subject to periodical medical examinations for five years after termination of their service; and that Order No. 12 of 1959 respecting periodical medical examinations for workers exposed to occupational diseases was also being reviewed for the purpose of amendment. The Committee notes the Government's indications in its report that the draft revised legislation on social insurance has not yet been adopted; it also notes that the Government requested the Social Security Institute to supply information on any modification of the 1959 Order. The Committee recalls the necessity of inclusion of post-employment medical examinations, as necessary, to evaluate the exposure to carcinogenic substances or agents and to supervise the state of health of the worker in relation to the occupational hazards was intended to respond to the not uncommon situation wherein the cancer is not detected until after the worker has terminated the employment involving exposure. The Committee, therefore, hopes that the Government will take the necessary measures to ensure that all workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents are provided with medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations after their employment as necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards.

The Committee hopes that the Government will report in the near future on progress made in the application of the Convention.