Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee notes with regret that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which was on the following points:

1. Articles 3 and 7, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Convention. Further to its previous comments noting the absence of legislation limiting the weight of loads to be manually transported by adult males, the Committee notes with satisfaction that article 26 of Executive Decree No. 91-05 of 19 January 1991, concerning the general protective provisions applying in the field of safety and health in the work environment, sets the maximum weight of loads to be manually transported by adult males at 50 kg, and the maximum weight of loads to be transported manually by women and young workers at 25 kg. In this connection, the Committee would, however, refer the Government to the ILO publication "Maximum weights in load lifting and carrying" (Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 59, Geneva, 1988), in which it is indicated that 15 kg is the limit, recommended from an ergonomic point of view, of the admissible load for occasional lifting and carrying for a woman aged between 19 and 45 years. The Committee hopes that the Government will keep the matter under review so as to further limit the assignment of women workers to the manual transport of light loads, not exceeding, as much as possible, 15 kg, and that it will indicate the measures taken or envisaged to this end. 2. Article 6 of the Convention. The Committee notes that modernization is taking place in the country and that the mechanization of operations has improved conditions of work and reduced the fatigue and risks encountered by workers. The Committee hopes that the Government will supply more detailed information on the technical devices used that limit and facilitate the manual transport of loads.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.