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Further to its observation, the Committee would be grateful if the following information were provided in its next report.

Article 8. This question is raised under Convention No. 81, Article 6, as follows:

Articles 6 and 11(b). (1) The Committee notes that the desired transport facilities have not been provided for inspectors; reliance is sometimes placed on enterprises or unions. Please indicate any progress made so that reliance is not placed upon employers or workers' organisations for their transport. (2) The Committee notes from the report on Convention No. 129 that not all members of the labour inspectorate are career officials. Please clarify how the stability and independence of all inspection staff are ensured in these circumstances.

Article 15. See under Convention No. 81, Article 11(b), as follows:

Articles 6 and 11(b). (1) The Committee notes that the desired transport facilities have not been provided for inspectors; reliance is sometimes placed on enterprises or unions. Please indicate any progress made so that reliance is not placed upon employers or workers' organisations for their transport. (2) The Committee notes from the report on Convention No. 129 that not all members of the labour inspectorate are career officials. Please clarify how the stability and independence of all inspection staff are ensured in these circumstances.

Article 19. See under Convention No. 81, Article 14, as follows:

Article 14. The Committee notes that industrial accidents and occupational diseases are not always notifed to the Ministry of Labour. Please indicate any measures proposed to ensure that inspectors are duly notified and can thus exercise their functions correctly.

Article 20. See under Convention No. 81, Article 15(c), as follows:

Article 15(c). Further to previous comments, the Committee notes the statement that the principle of confidentiality referred to in this Article is observed in practice. The Government also refers (for the first time) to Decree No. 1489 of 1952. Please indicate whether this Decree applies to labour inspectors and the labour inspectorate, and provide a full copy.

Articles 26 and 27. See observation under Convention No. 81, as follows:

Articles 16, 20 and 21 of the Convention. With reference to its previous comments, the Committee notes the labour statistics provided in Bulletin No. 33-34 of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which covers 1988 but only partially responds to the requirements of the Convention. The Bulletin indicates that the number of inspection visits made decreased in 1988, and most were in the commercial sector (excluded by Colombia from its acceptance of the Convention). The number of violations of legislation reported was also lower.

The Committee recalls the Convention's requirement that workplaces should be inspected as often and as thoroughly as necessary; and the importance of compiling annual reports on the activities of the inspection services containing detailed information on all the subjects required by the Convention, so that the manner in which the Convention is being applied can be appreciated. It once again expresses the hope that remedial measures will be taken by the Government.

The Committee is also addressing a direct request to the Government concerning application of Articles 3, paragraph 2; 5(a); 6 and 11(b); 7; 14; 15(c).