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The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information provided in reply to its previous comments.

The Committee notes that, according to the Government the operation of the inspection services, like that of other administrative bodies of the State, was affected by a lack of resources and the severe restrictions that had to be imposed on recruitment in order to meet the objective of controlling the wage bill. Nevertheless, expectations are high that the state budget for 2004 will bring about improvements for labour inspection services, particularly with regard to human resources. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on any changes made by the forthcoming budgetary decisions to the portion of the budget allocated to labour inspection and on how that allocation is spent, with a view to reinforcing the human and financial resources as well as the logistical means required to perform the functions envisaged by the Convention.

The Government is asked to provide detailed information on the composition of the labour inspectorate staff (inspectors, supervisors, administrative personnel) and on its geographical distribution; on the transport facilities (public transport, vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles) at the disposal of inspectors for carrying out the supervision of legal provisions related to working conditions in the workplaces liable to inspection as well as the arrangements made to refund to inspectors any expenses they incurred in the performance of their duties (Article 11).

Lastly, the Government is asked to provide information on the number of inspectors who participated in training seminars or workshops organized by the ILO and on the length and content of the training given as well as its impact (Article 7).