Campaigners in the Phillippines call for lead convention update

Labour and environmental groups in the Philippines are demanding greater protection for workers, children and the general public against the dangers of exposure to lead-based paints.

The groups, which include the EcoWaste Coalition and the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), are demanding that the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) White Lead (Painting) Convention C013, which first entered into force in 1923, be updated to make it applicable to all lead pigments and dryers, ready-to-use paints, as well as to exterior applications.

“It’s been over nine decades since C013 entered into force and lead poisoning via exposure to lead contaminated paint chips, dust as well as products such as toys remains a huge threat for the health of children and workers in many countries,” said Allan Tanjusay, spokesman and policy advocacy officer, ALU-TUCP. - chemicalwatch