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The Committee notes a very detailed Government's report covering the period up to 31 May 1997. It also notes the observations included in the Government's report by the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT), the Employers' Confederation of Service Industries (LTK), the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) and the Confederation of Unions of Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA). The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points:

Article 3, subparagraph 1(a), of the Convention. Please indicate whether all matters listed in Article 3, subparagraph 1(a), of the Convention, particularly provisions related to the employment of children and young persons, are covered by the scope of authority of the Occupational Safety Inspectorates.

Article 5. The Committee notes the indication in the report that on 1 April 1997 the occupational safety and health administration was transferred from the Ministry of Labour to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health for the purpose of collecting matters concerning occupational health and safety under the same Ministry. The Committee further notes the indication that certain occupational safety issues, for instance, issues concerning product safety, are still dealt with by other ministries and the institutions under their control, but the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has good connections and networks with these ministries. The Committee also notes the Government's indication that the Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health has been an important forum for cooperation. The Committee asks the Government to provide further particulars as concerns the organization of the cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and other ministries and the institutions dealing with occupational safety matters.

Article 8. Please indicate the current percentage of women appointed to the inspection staff to each of the levels of the labour inspection.

Article 16. The Committee notes the indication in the Government's report that the number of staff in the Occupational Safety Inspectorates fell by 4 per cent between 1993 and 1996 due to savings in public administration, but that in spite of diminishing resources, there has been no marked change in the number of inspections. The Committee notes the comments by SAK that resources in the Occupational Safety Inspectorates have been inadequate which affected the number of inspections. It also notes the statement by AKAVA that the number of inspections cannot be reduced without impairing the level of occupational safety. On the other hand, TT and PT in their joint statement consider that, as regards the effectiveness of workplace inspections, it is more important to focus attention on the quality than the number of inspections. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the specific arrangements made or envisaged in order to ensure the efficient operation of the system of labour inspection (including the sufficiency of the number of inspection visits) despite the reduction of resources allocated to the Occupational Safety Inspectorates. Noting also the comments by SAK that the number of inspections in the commercial sector is not satisfactory in relation to the number of inspectors, the Committee requests the Government to provide its comments on this statement.

Articles 20 and 21. The Committee notes the indication in the report that because of the administrative changes, the occupational safety and health administration has not issued a separate annual report since 1993, when the National Board of Labour Protection was abolished and its duties were transferred to the Occupational Safety and Health Division at the Ministry of Labour. The Committee further notes the indication that separate annual reports are to be drafted again, starting with 1996. The Committee hopes that the Government will be able to transmit a copy of such report together with its next report under the Convention.