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Repetition Articles 1, 4 and 6 of the Convention. Functions of the labour administration system. The Committee understands that the resources of the labour administration system in Guyana are placed primarily on OSH labour inspection activities in the areas of training education, travelling to hinterland areas and acquiring of scientific instruments for workplace inspections and investigations of industrial accidents. Referring to its 1997 General Survey on labour administration, the Committee reminds the Government that the overall functions of the labour administration systems are more comprehensive than labour inspections and include responsibility for, or contribution to, the preparation, administration, coordination, checking and review of national labour policy, including by being the instrument of the public administration for the preparation and implementation of laws and regulations giving effect to such policy (Article 6(1)). Without being exhaustive, the Convention lists the principal functions that the bodies of the labour administration system must cover. Article 6(2), and Paragraphs 5–18 of Recommendation No. 158 detail further aspects of national labour policy covering the areas of labour standards, labour relations, employment and research in labour matters. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the current working of the labour administration system, as well as a copy of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour policy, and extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies. Furthermore, the Committee requests once again the Government to indicate the arrangements made to ensure the effective operation, and the coordination, of the functions and responsibilities of the labour administration systems (Article 4). Article 10. Staff, status, material means and financial resources of the labour administration system. The Committee notes that, according to the Government’s brief report, the key positions of both the Chief Labour OSH Officer and the Deputy Chief Labour OSH Officer are appointed on contractual agreement renewable on a three-year basis, while other staff members are public servants. The Committee recalls that it raised the issue of uncompetitive remuneration in the public service and the critical lack of personnel and means of transport in the labour administration system as early as 2000. Referring to paragraph 160 of its 1997 General Survey on labour administration, the Committee reminds the Government that the effectiveness of a labour administration system also depends on the material means and financial resources placed at its disposal by the State for the effective performance of the duties and responsibilities assigned to it. It emphasizes that the stability of labour administration personnel and conditions of service which guarantee them independence from any improper external influence are a prerequisite for the operation of the labour administration system that can help to achieve the objectives assigned to this public service. The Committee requests the Government to endeavour to the fullest possible extent to ensure that the material means and financial resources allocated to the labour administration system are sufficient for the effective exercise of its functions. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would send copies of the workplan and the programme for the financial resources of the labour administration and if it would continue to provide detailed information on the needs of the labour administration system. It also requests the Government to describe the criteria and procedures followed for the recruitment of labour administration staff including executive staff. The Committee reminds the Government that it may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office if it so wishes.
Repetition Article 5 of the Convention. Functions of the tripartite Committee. In the Committee’s previous request, the Government was asked to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the six subcommittees to which it referred in its 1999 report. The Government states in reply that this question was dealt with comprehensively under the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). While the Committee has not found the information requested in the Government’s report, it wishes nevertheless to emphasize that the tripartite consultations referred to in that instrument are distinguished clearly by virtue of their purpose – activities of the International Labour Organization – from the tripartite consultations referred to in Article 5, which concern the various areas of national labour policy. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the subcommittees referred to in its report received in 1999, and to report to the Office any other arrangements made, at the national, regional and local levels, to ensure the consultation, cooperation and negotiation provided for by Article 5. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide copies of any reports or extracts of reports relating to the work of these various tripartite bodies, their purpose and their results.
Repetition Articles 1, 4 and 6 of the Convention. Functions of the labour administration system. The Committee understands that the resources of the labour administration system in Guyana are placed primarily on OSH labour inspection activities in the areas of training education, travelling to hinterland areas and acquiring of scientific instruments for workplace inspections and investigations of industrial accidents. Referring to Chapter II of its 1997 General Survey on labour administration, the Committee reminds the Government that the overall functions of the labour administration systems are more comprehensive than labour inspections and include responsibility for, or contribution to, the preparation, administration, coordination, checking and review of national labour policy, including by being the instrument of the public administration for the preparation and implementation of laws and regulations giving effect to such policy (Article 6(1)). Without being exhaustive, the Convention lists the principal functions that the bodies of the labour administration system must cover. Article 6(2), and Paragraphs 5–18 of Recommendation No. 158 detail further aspects of national labour policy covering the areas of labour standards, labour relations, employment and research in labour matters. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the current working of the labour administration system, as well as a copy of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour policy, and extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies.Furthermore, the Committee requests once again the Government to indicate the arrangements made to ensure the effective operation, and the coordination, of the functions and responsibilities of the labour administration systems (Article 4).Article 10. Staff, status, material means and financial resources of the labour administration system. The Committee notes that, between 2006 and 2012, the staff of the labour administration system decreased from 22 to 18. The Committee also notes that, according to the Government’s brief report, the key positions of both the Chief Labour OSH Officer and the Deputy Chief Labour OSH Officer are appointed on contractual agreement renewable on a three-year basis, while other staff members are public servants.The Committee recalls that it raised the issue of uncompetitive remuneration in the public service and the critical lack of personnel and means of transport in the labour administration system as early as 2000. Referring to paragraph 160 of its 1997 General Survey on labour administration, the Committee reminds the Government that the effectiveness of a labour administration system also depends on the material means and financial resources placed at its disposal by the State for the effective performance of the duties and responsibilities assigned to it. It emphasizes that the stability of labour administration personnel and conditions of service which guarantee them independence from any improper external influence are a prerequisite for the operation of the labour administration system that can help to achieve the objectives assigned to this public service. The Committee requests the Government to endeavour to the fullest possible extent to ensure that the material means and financial resources allocated to the labour administration system are sufficient for the effective exercise of its functions. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would send copies of the workplan and the programme for the financial resources of the labour administration and if it would continue to provide detailed information on the needs of the labour administration system. It also requests the Government to describe the criteria and procedures followed for the recruitment of labour administration staff including executive staff.The Committee reminds the Government that it may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office if it so wishes.
Repetition Article 5. Functions of the tripartite Committee. In the Committee’s previous request, the Government was asked to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the six subcommittees to which it referred in its 1999 report. The Government states in reply that this question was dealt with comprehensively under the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). While the Committee has not found the information requested in the Government’s report, it wishes nevertheless to emphasize that the tripartite consultations referred to in that instrument are distinguished clearly by virtue of their purpose – activities of the International Labour Organization – from the tripartite consultations referred to in Article 5 of this Convention, which concern the various areas of national labour policy. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the subcommittees referred to in its report received in 1999, and to report to the Office any other arrangements made, at the national, regional and local levels, to ensure the consultation, cooperation and negotiation provided for by Article 5. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide copies of any reports or extracts of reports relating to the work of these various tripartite bodies, their purpose and their results.The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.
Repetition The Committee notes the Government’s brief report in reply to its previous comments. It also notes the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1997 (Cap. 99:10).Article 10 of the Convention. Staff of the labour administration system. In its request made in 2000 and reiterated in 2004 and 2005, the Committee asked the Government to provide detailed information on the composition of the staff of the public labour administration and on any developments in the situation with regard to the conditions of service and the material and financial resources made available to the staff for the performance of their duties. The Government indicates briefly in its report that the staff of the public administrations has been strengthened by 22 new staff members and that their conditions of service are identical to those of other civil servants, without giving details of the composition of the staff as a whole. It also states that the financial resources are adequate. The Committee considers this information to be insufficient to serve as a basis for an assessment of the human and financial resources of the labour administration system and once again requests the Government to provide useful details to this end.Articles 1, 4 and 6 and Part IV of the report form. In its previous request, the Committee requested the Government to provide the detailed information required under each of these provisions and a copy of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour administration policy, as well as extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies. The Government states briefly in reply to this request that it has not received the report form for the Convention and indicates that it has not delegated any responsibility for labour administration to non-governmental organizations. With regard to the description of functions set out in Article 6, it merely indicates that these functions are performed by the departments under the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. The Committee points out to the Government that it can access the report forms for the ILO Conventions through the following Internet link: http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/english/reportforms/reportformsE.htm and draws its attention in particular to the following requests which appear under each of the Articles mentioned above in the report form to this Convention: Under Article 1: Please give particulars concerning the manner in which the system of labour administration is organized in your country.Under Article 4: Please indicate the arrangements made to ensure the effective operation, and the coordination, of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration.Under Article 6: Please give details of the measures taken to give effect to each provision of this Article.The Committee hopes that the Government will do its utmost to provide all this information.Article 5. In the Committee’s previous request, the Government was asked to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the six subcommittees to which it referred in its 1999 report. The Government states in reply that this question was dealt with comprehensively under the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). While the Committee has not found the information requested in the Government’s report, it wishes nevertheless to emphasize that the tripartite consultations referred to in that instrument are distinguished clearly by virtue of their purpose – activities of the International Labour Organization – from the tripartite consultations referred to in Article 5 of this Convention, which concern the various areas of national labour policy. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the subcommittees referred to in its report received in 1999, and to report to the Office any other arrangements made, at the national, regional and local levels, to ensure the consultation, cooperation and negotiation provided for by Article 5. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide copies of any reports or extracts of reports relating to the work of these various tripartite bodies, their purpose and their results.
The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
The Committee notes the Government’s brief report in reply to its previous comments. It also notes the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1997 (Cap. 99:10).
Article 10 of the Convention. Staff of the labour administration system. In its request made in 2000 and reiterated in 2004 and 2005, the Committee asked the Government to provide detailed information on the composition of the staff of the public labour administration and on any developments in the situation with regard to the conditions of service and the material and financial resources made available to the staff for the performance of their duties. The Government indicates briefly in its report that the staff of the public administrations has been strengthened by 22 new staff members and that their conditions of service are identical to those of other civil servants, without giving details of the composition of the staff as a whole. It also states that the financial resources are adequate. The Committee considers this information to be insufficient to serve as a basis for an assessment of the human and financial resources of the labour administration system and once again requests the Government to provide useful details to this end.
Articles 1, 4 and 6 and Part IV of the report form. In its previous request, the Committee requested the Government to provide the detailed information required under each of these provisions and a copy of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour administration policy, as well as extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies. The Government states briefly in reply to this request that it has not received the report form for the Convention and indicates that it has not delegated any responsibility for labour administration to non-governmental organizations. With regard to the description of functions set out in Article 6, it merely indicates that these functions are performed by the departments under the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. The Committee points out to the Government that it can access the report forms for the ILO Conventions through the following Internet link: http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/english/reportforms/reportformsE.htm and draws its attention in particular to the following requests which appear under each of the Articles mentioned above in the report form to this Convention:
Under Article 1: Please give particulars concerning the manner in which the system of labour administration is organized in your country.
Under Article 4: Please indicate the arrangements made to ensure the effective operation, and the coordination, of the functions and responsibilities of the system of labour administration.
Under Article 6: Please give details of the measures taken to give effect to each provision of this Article.
The Committee hopes that the Government will do its utmost to provide all this information.
Article 5. In the Committee’s previous request, the Government was asked to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the six subcommittees to which it referred in its 1999 report. The Government states in reply that this question was dealt with comprehensively under the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144). While the Committee has not found the information requested in the Government’s report, it wishes nevertheless to emphasize that the tripartite consultations referred to in that instrument are distinguished clearly by virtue of their purpose – activities of the International Labour Organization – from the tripartite consultations referred to in Article 5 of this Convention, which concern the various areas of national labour policy. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour, as well as those of the subcommittees referred to in its report received in 1999, and to report to the Office any other arrangements made, at the national, regional and local levels, to ensure the consultation, cooperation and negotiation provided for by Article 5. It would be grateful if the Government would also provide copies of any reports or extracts of reports relating to the work of these various tripartite bodies, their purpose and their results.
The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Articles 1, 4 and 6 of the Convention and Part IV of the report form. In its previous request, the Committee requested the Government to provide the detailed information required under each of these provisions and a copy of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour administration policy, as well as extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies. The Government states briefly in reply to this request that it has not received the report form for the Convention and indicates that it has not delegated any responsibility for labour administration to non-governmental organizations. With regard to the description of functions set out in Article 6, it merely indicates that these functions are performed by the departments under the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. The Committee points out to the Government that it can access the report forms for the ILO Conventions through the following Internet link: http://www.ilo.org/ilolex/english/reportforms/reportformsE.htm and draws its attention in particular to the following requests which appear under each of the Articles mentioned above in the report form to this Convention:
The Committee notes the Government’s brief reports for the period ending June 1999. It would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information on the following points.
Noting from the 1994 report that, in view of the uncompetitive remuneration in the public service, it suffers from a critical lack of personnel and means of transport to carry out field missions, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the current composition of the personnel of the public labour administration and on any developments in this situation with regard to the conditions of service and material and financial resources made available to the personnel for the discharge of their functions.
Noting also in the above report that draft legislation on occupational safety and health was being prepared in the context of an ILO technical assistance programme, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information in its latest report on this matter and requests it to report on the action taken as a result of the project.
Articles 1, 4 and 6 of the Convention and Part IV of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to provide the detailed information required by the report form on the Convention under each of these provisions. Please also provide copies of the texts governing the structure and operation of the principal bodies competent in the fields of the preparation, administration and review of the national labour administration policy, and extracts from the periodic reports and other information submitted by these bodies.
Article 5. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the functions of the tripartite committee chaired by the Minister of Labour and the six subcommittees to which it refers in its most recent report, and to provide information on their activities.
Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning application of Article 4 of the Convention and organisation of the Ministry of Labour into five sections. It also notes, in application of Article 10, that recruitment of the staff of the labour administration system is done by the Public Service Commission and officers' terms of employment come under the Public Service Rules.
The Committee asks the Government to provide more detailed information about the manner in which the Convention is applied, especially with regard to the matters mentioned above, and any practical difficulties. Please also indicate measures taken following technical cooperation received from the ILO in relation to labour administration (see points IV and V of the report form).
The Committee notes the provisions of the Employment Exchanges Act. It hopes that a detailed report in the form approved by the Governing Body will be provided and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:
Article 4. The Committee requests the Government to provide full particulars of the organisation and effective operation of the system of labour administration and to forward the periodical and annual reports published by the main bodies of the labour administration.
Article 10. While noting the provisions of section 3 of the Labour Act (Chap. 98:01) providing for the appointments and functions of labour administrators, the Committee asks the Government to indicate the legislative provisions which ensure to labour administration staff the status and conditions of service referred to in this Article of the Convention.
The Committee takes note of the information provided by the government concerning the application of Articles 6, paragraph 2(a), and 7, of the Convention.
Article 4. The Committee again requests the Government to provide full particulars of the organisation and effective operation of the system of labour administration and to forward the periodical and annual reports published by the main bodies of the labour administration.
Furthermore, the Committee hopes that a copy of the Employment Exchange Act (Chap. 98:05) will be transmitted shortly to the ILO.