Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes with satisfaction the information supplied by the Government in relation to its 1999 general observation on the subject of actions undertaken to organize and strengthen the activities of the labour inspection with a view to combating child labour. A survey carried out in the framework of the ILO/IPEC project has shown that child labour is as extensive in the rural areas as in urban areas and that labour inspectors working throughout the country received training in May 2000 with a view to enhancing their competence in monitoring child labour. The Committee notes that this training ought to have made them aware of the damaging effects of child labour and enabled them to define activities to carry out with a view to improving the supervision and the elimination of child labour. It would be grateful if the Government would regularly supply information on the matter, indicating progress made and the difficulties encountered by the labour inspectors in performing this task.

The Committee also notes with interest the information supplied by the Government on the manner in which effect is given to Article 9(2), of the Convention which shows that, even though the inspection system has a field of general competence, the need has been felt to provide special qualifications for inspectors intended to work in the agricultural sector. Noting also that it is envisaged in the draft revision of labour legislation to make inspection supervision applicable both to conditions of work and to living conditions in the agriculture sector, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the training formula adopted in the framework of technical assistance for inspectors in agriculture, between specialization within the National Administration School of Madagascar (ENAM) or abroad, by granting a fellowship.

The Committee is addressing a request concerning other points directly to the Government.