Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) - Saudi Arabia (Ratification: 2020)

The Committee notes the Government’s first report.

Article 6 of the Convention. Inspection and statistics. Application in practice. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the Ministry of Labour is responsible for occupational safety and health (OSH) matters. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of the Convention in practice, including, where available, information on the inspection activities carried out, and the number, nature and causes of occupational accidents and diseases reported in trading establishments, institutions and administrative services in which the workers are mainly engaged in office work.

Article 13. Sufficient and suitable washing facilities and sanitary conveniences.The Government indicates that section 121 of the Labour Act sets out the obligation of the employer to provide suitable washing facilities. The Committee notes that although this section sets out the obligation of the employer to provide washing water, the Labour Act does not specifically provide for the provision and maintenance of sanitary conveniences. The Government indicates that the consolidated regulation for the work environment in private sector establishments issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development includes rules for providing facilities for sanitation at the workplace. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the specific provisions of national laws and regulations which ensure that sufficient sanitary conveniences are provided, made available for use and properly maintained in workplaces covered by the Convention.

Article 15. Suitable facilities for workers to change, leave and dry clothes. The Government indicates that section 193 of the Labour Act specifies that employers employing more than 50 workers in mines or quarries shall provide one or more rooms for changing clothes. However, the Committee observes that this obligation does not appear to apply to employers of workplaces covered by the Convention, namely workers in offices and commerce. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to ensure that, where necessary, suitable facilities for changing, leaving and drying clothing which is not worn at work are provided and properly maintainedin workplaces covered by the Convention.

Article 18. Protection against noise and vibrations. The Government indicates that the General Environmental Act and Rules for Implementation provides for the duty to limit noise pollution, particularly when operating machinery or other equipment. The Committee notes that noise levels shall not exceed allowable environmental standard limits set forth in the Rules for Implementation.The Committee also notes the Government’s indication regarding the standards of noise in internal environments set in the consolidated standards on air quality for the Gulf Cooperation Council and its executive bylaw approved by virtue of Decision No. 48 of 5/3/1427H.Taking note of the provisions on noise, the Committee recalls that Article 18 also requires the adoption of measures to reduce vibrations likely to have harmful effects on workers. Accordingly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged, where necessary, to reduce vibrations likely to have harmful effects on workers.