Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Articles 7, paragraphs 3, 10, 11 and 16, of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government's report that the labour inspectorate continues to face many difficulties, of which the main ones are manpower shortages, both in terms of quality and quantity, and the lack of: (a) the transport facilities necessary to carry out inspection visits; (b) suitable offices; and (c) the technical means necessary for the performance of their duties. It hopes that the Government will take the appropriate measures to remedy these difficulties and requests it to provide information in its next report on any progress achieved in this respect.

Article 12, paragraph 1 (a). The Committee notes that the Bill to amend the Labour Code is still awaiting adoption. It once again hopes that the Code will be revised in the near future and that this revision will provide an opportunity to amend section 153 (b) in order to eliminate the restrictions that authorise inspectors to enter places liable to inspection by night only if collective night work is carried out there.

Article 15 (c). With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes with regret that no measure has yet been taken to give effect to this provision of the Convention under which labour inspectors shall treat as confidential the source of any complaint giving rise to a visit of inspection. Since the consequences could be particularly serious for the workers if inspectors did not observe their obligation to preserve secrecy, the Committee recalls that it is absolutely necessary for this obligation to be established in a legal provision or, failing that, in a regulation or administrative text such as a circular, directive or instructions addressed to labour inspectors. It trusts that the Government will not fail to take appropriate measures without delay.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes the annual report on the activities of the labour inspectorate for 1988. It requests the Government to indicate whether this report has been published and made available to the authorities, organisations and persons concerned. Furthermore, it hopes that in future annual reports will be supplemented by a list of the laws and regulations relevant to the work of the inspection service and by statistics of occupational diseases (Article 21 (a) and (g)).