CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the Government’s report for 1999 and the attached documents. It notes with interest the information concerning the various types of coordination between the inspection services and other public bodies and institutions conducting similar activities. It notes in particular that the labour inspection service maintains coordination in regard to supervision of the legal provisions relating to occupational health and safety with the National Social Security Institute and that seminars for labour inspectors were given in 1998 by a delegation of the Argentine Ministry of Labour.

The Committee notes with interest that, according to information available at the ILO, the modernization of the labour administration is planned in the framework of the international cooperation and technical assistance project entitled Modernization of Labour Administrations in Central America (MATAC‑ILO). It hopes that the Government will supply information regularly on the progress of this project in regard to the application of the provisions of this Convention and that measures will be taken, in particular, to publish and communicate annual labour inspection reports in accordance with the form and content prescribed in Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention.

The Committee notes the information that the number of labour inspectors rose between 1998 and 1999. It notes, however, a considerable decrease in this number in comparison with the numbers given by the Government in its 1995 report. The Government is requested to supply details allowing the Committee to assess the current labour inspection staffing situation in the light of the criteria laid down in Article 10 to ensure in particular that inspections of workplaces are as frequent and thorough as laid down in Article 16.

The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the transport facilities allocated to the inspection service are inadequate for its needs and that a modernization unit has been set up within the Ministry to take measures aimed at improving the situation in this regard. Drawing the attention of the Government to the provisions of Article 11, the Committee would be grateful if it would supply information on the transport means and facilities as well as on any financial arrangements established or envisaged to reimburse labour inspectors for any travelling and incidental expenses they incur in the performance of their duties.

The Committee once again requests the Government to supply details on the manner in which effect is given to Article 15(a) which stipulates that labour inspectors shall be prohibited from having any direct or indirect interest in the undertakings under their supervision.

Noting the statistics on inspections provided by the Government, the Committee requests it to give further information on the frequency of routine inspections.