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The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending May 1999. It notes the information provided in reply to its previous comments, particularly on the measures taken to improve the effectiveness of labour inspection, such as courses on labour law, administrative law, work by children and young persons, as well as the training agreement for labour inspectors concluded with the Latin American University of Science and Technology and the Inter‑American University. The Committee notes, that in the context of the MATAC‑ILO project, draft regulations are being prepared to provide better protection for workers’ rights by making the staff of the labour inspection services more pluri-disciplinary and professional. The Committee also notes, in reply to its previous observation concerning the contradictions between the estimates made by the Inter‑Confederal Committee of Costa Rica (CICC) on the staff of the inspection services and the needs and figures provided by the Government, that information on an increase in the number of inspectors could soon be provided, and it requests the Government to indicate whether measures have been taken in this respect, particularly within the framework of the MATAC‑ILO project and, where appropriate, to provide information on their implementation. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the current numbers and geographical distribution of the staff of the labour inspection services and on the plans to increase this staff with a view to improving observance of workers’ rights in the fields covered by the Convention.

The Committee notes the statement that the Government is continually endeavouring to develop the financial resources of the Ministry of Labour and it requests it to provide information on the measures taken, within the framework of the programme for the modernization of the labour administration, to give effect to the provisions of Article 11 of the Convention in relation to offices and transport facilities (Article 11(1)(a) and (b)) and the reimbursement to inspectors of any travelling and incidental expenses which may be necessary for the performance of their duties (Article 11(2)).

With reference to its direct request under Convention No. 129 concerning annual inspection reports, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure that the central inspection authority, in accordance with Article 20, publishes and transmits to the ILO within the required time limits an annual report containing information on the subjects enumerated in Article 21(a) to (g).