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The Committee notes the Government’s reports for 1996 and 1998. It also notes the statistical data on the number of workers engaged in public service establishments and in industrial and commercial establishments liable to inspection. Noting the far-reaching changes which have occurred in recent years in the organization and functioning of the labour inspectorate, on the one hand, and in the legislation, on the other hand, the Committee requests the Government to report in detail on the application of the Convention and draws its attention in particular to the following points.

Articles 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 and 22 of the Convention (scope and organization of the labour inspection services).  The Committee wishes to recall that the Convention covers labour inspection in industrial and commercial workplaces. Noting the statistical data provided by the Government on workplaces in which public service activities, agricultural and other activities are carried on, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its next report: (i) the categories of industrial and commercial workplaces liable to supervision by the labour inspectorate; (ii) the specific functions entrusted to each public or private institution supervising the application of legal provisions relating to conditions of work and the protection of workers while engaged in their work in industrial and commercial workplaces; (iii) the central authority responsible, where appropriate, for the supervision and control of labour inspection; (iv) the arrangements made to promote effective cooperation between the inspection services and other government services and public or private institutions engaged in inspection activities.

Articles 10, 16 and 21(b) to (g) (statistics on labour inspection).  With reference to the statistical tables provided by the Government concerning inspections and their results in the field of occupational safety and health, the Committee wishes to draw the Government’s attention to the fact that, in accordance with the above provisions, the data to be taken into account in determining the needs of labour inspection in terms of human and material resources are the number of workplaces liable to inspection, the activities carried on therein and the number of workers employed in such workplaces. The frequency of inspections should also be determined for each workplace, and not for each enterprise, as indicated by the statistics provided with the Government’s report. It would also be desirable, to permit a better assessment of the inspection methods used, if the results of inspections were to be presented as a function of the type of inspection (routine, following a complaint or an industrial accident, as part of a campaign, or other). The Committee hopes that the Government will in future provide the relevant information concerning the above provisions of the Convention or take the necessary measures to ensure that such information is published in the annual inspection report.

Updating the information concerning the legislation which gives effect to the Convention.  The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide copies of the new legislative texts in force on the organization and functioning of labour inspection, as well as on the status and conditions of service of each category of officials or employees discharging inspection duties (Article 6). It also requests the Government to provide information on the status of the earlier texts in relation to the new legislation.