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With reference to its previous observation and the discussion in the Committee at the 88th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2000, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided, as it was requested to do by the Conference Committee, a detailed report on the progress achieved in law and practice in the application of this priority Convention. Recalling that it was requested to take the necessary measures to ensure the adoption of a status for labour inspectors which is in conformity with Article 6 of the Convention, the Committee is therefore bound to repeat its previous observation, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s report covering the period ending 1 September 1998 in reply to its earlier comments. The Committee notes that the report is absolutely identical to the one which covered the previous period ending 1 September 1997 and therefore contains no reply to the new requests of the Committee. The Committee reminds the Government of the need to supply regular information on changes and progress achieved in the spheres covered by this Convention as well as specific information on the points raised in the Committee’s comments, where necessary.

1.  The Committee again stressed in its previous observation the essential nature of the principle of stability of employment and independence of labour inspectors as regards all changes of government and improper external influences. It therefore reiterated the hope that regulations would be adopted for inspection staff, compatible with the terms of Article 6 of the Convention and with section 22 of the Labour Code of 1963; a draft of such regulations has already been drawn up with ILO assistance. In view of the Government’s persistent failure, for over 30 years, to act in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure correct application of the Convention, and to supply information on all measures taken accordingly.

2.  The Committee notes once again that, since 1987 and despite numerous requests, the Government has not sent a single annual inspection report to the ILO. It again stresses that these reports are an essential means of determining how the inspection system functions in practice and of ensuring that workplaces are inspected as often and as thoroughly as is necessary. The Government is therefore requested to fulfil this obligation and to take the measures necessary to ensure, as soon as possible, that the annual reports on the activities of the inspection services containing all the information required by Article 21(a) to (g), will be published and transmitted to the ILO, in conformity with Article 20 of the Convention.

3.  The Committee is addressing a request concerning certain points already raised in its previous direct requests directly to the Government.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.