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The Committee notes with interest the information supplied in answer to its observation of 2001, the annual reports of the labour directorate for 2000 and 2003 addressing the subjects covered by the Convention, the legislation on the transfer of the labour inspectorate’s competence to the authorities of New Caledonia, and the practical implications of this transfer for the provisions of the Convention.

1. Strengthening the inspection system and cooperation in occupational safety and health. Development of statistics on occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee notes with interest that the staff of the inspection services has been strengthened by the recruitment of two inspectors, that inspections visits have increased, and that cooperation measures have been implemented between the inspection services, the judicial authorities, employers’ organizations and the CAFAT prevention service with a view to stepping up inspection of construction sites in order to prevent occupational accidents in this sector, which is particularly affected.

Noting that detailed statistics are available on occupational accidents and, in particular, occupational diseases, the Committee hopes that the Government will not fail to reduce identified occupational risks, not only by detecting and penalizing infringements but also, and especially, by providing training and information on activities that are potentially dangerous for health and safety, and that it will report to the Office on progress made.

2. Consolidation of information on inspection activities (Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention). The Committee notes the availability of the information required by the provisions of Article 21 of the Convention. It notes, however, that the sources of the information are spread over the documents of various competent bodies of the labour administration. It invites the Government to refer to paragraphs 272 ff. of its General Survey of 1985 on labour inspection, in which it points out that the publication and communication to the Office of an annual report on inspection activities serves both a national and an international purpose. It accordingly requests the Government once again to ensure that the central authority is able to consolidate the relevant information in a single document, in order to give full effect to Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention.

3. Preparation of a new Labour Code. Noting the information concerning the preparation of a draft Labour Code to update all the labour legislation, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on progress made in this respect and on any aspects of the planned legislation that concern the subjects covered by the Convention.