Dear Lika,

As we discussed this week, we would like to request a meeting on the development of the methodology of assessing the hazardous work for pregnant women and the nursing mothers. The international expert, Yuka Ujita, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at ILO has agreed to support the National Consultant Nana Khatiashvili to develop the methodology. However, there are some concerns that we have and would like to discuss them as soon as possible.

1) Both international and national experts raised concerns against developing the list of hazardous occupations. They agree that the existing list of hazardous occupations should serve as a reference point; however, the way forward should be the development of the methodology of assessing the hazardous work for pregnant women in individual cases. Unless we discuss the methodological issues with you, experts can not proceed, and as you are well informed, time is of the essence.

2) Both international and national experts have asked us to request you the formation of the working group - we would like the Ministry to appoint the focal points - the lawyer and the occupation safety specialist that can guide the process. Considering that the national consultant is a doctor (as agreed through the consultation among the UN Women and Head of the Labor Inspectorate Division), indeed she will need support from the Ministry in the process of developing the legal document.

3) The timeline - we are aiming at having the draft document in mod-August (August 12-14); however, the experts have raised the concerns that time is not enough for the work of high quality. As you are informed, the delay was caused by the difficulty of getting an international expert of the appropriate qualification. We want to propose extending the deadline for the final draft in mid-September if it is possible.

All the best,