Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1980)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Periodic determination of the carcinogenic substances and agents to which occupational exposure shall be prohibited or made subject to authorization or control. Protective measures. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and requests it to continue providing information on any developments in this respect.

Article 5. Medical examinations of workers during and after the period of employment. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Ordinance No. 145/09, referred to previously by the Government, establishes a basic regime covering various chemical and physical risk factors, the respective medical tests and analyses which workers must undergo, and the time at which such tests and analyses have to be carried out. The Committee requested the Government to make provision in law and in practice for medical examinations following the period of employment, and to provide information in this respect. The Committee notes the Government’s indications that, with regard to post employment examinations, no tests are carried out after the worker has left the employment, except in confirmed cases and under the State Insurance Fund (Banco de Seguros del Estado). The Committee recalls that, under this Article, each Member which ratifies this Convention shall take measures to ensure that workers are provided with such medical examinations or biological or other tests or investigations during the period of employment and thereafter, as are necessary to evaluate their exposure and supervise their state of health in relation to the occupational hazards. The Committee once again requests the Government to take the necessary measures to provide post-employment medical examinations for workers exposed to carcinogenic substances or agents, and to provide detailed information on this subject.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide statistical information on the number of workers covered by the legislation, the number and nature of the violations reported and the number of occupational diseases reported in relation to the Convention.