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Referring also to its observation under the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Articles 10 and 11. Human and material resources. The Committee notes that according to the Annual Inspection Report (1997) the number of inspector positions has decreased from 384 in 1993 to 328 in 1997 and the actual number of inspectors during the same period from 365 to 284. The Committee notes the indication in the Government's report that as of May 1999 the number of senior inspectors and inspectors was 314, plus 11 persons undergoing training to become senior inspectors. In addition, it was expected that a further 50 persons will be admitted on completion of the selection process. The report further indicates that the IGT operates at its headquarters in Lisbon, the seat of its directorate, and in 29 branches of the IDICT, while three regional units are currently being set up. The Committee requests the Government to continue supplying information on changes in the human and material resources of the inspection services and their impact on the effectiveness of inspection activities.

Article 14. Notification of industrial accidents and occupational diseases. With reference to its previous comments the Committee notes that under article 14 of Decree-Law No. 441/91, of 14 November 1991, the employer must notify the IGT of fatal or particularly serious accidents within 24 hours and that under the terms of Decree-Law No. 2/82 of 5 January 1982, doctors must notify the National Centre for Protection against Occupational Risks in all cases where occupational diseases listed in this law are diagnosed in the course of their professional duties within eight days of the diagnosis. In addition, the National Centre for Protection Against Occupational Risks will inform departments and branches of the IGT of cases of occupational disease. The Committee notes however that the latest Annual Inspection Report sent to the ILO (1997) does not contain the statistics of occupational diseases required under Article 21, paragraph (g), of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on steps taken to compile such statistics. The Government might wish to refer to the Committee's 1996 general observation in this regard.

Article 16. Frequency and thoroughness of inspection visits. The Committee notes that according to the 1997 Annual Inspection Report the total number of visited establishments has decreased from 76,311 in 1993 to 43,589 in 1997 and the number of establishments visited in respect of safety, hygiene and health for the same period has decreased from 9,437 to 6,642. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the reasons for such decrease and the measures envisaged in order to ensure adequate frequency and thoroughness of inspection visits.