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Articles 3, paragraph 1, 10 and 16 of the Convention. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the number of inspectors had dropped from 171 (in 1991) to 98 (in 1995) and the number of inspection visits from 907 (in 1991) to 413 (in 1992). The Committee also noted that most of the vehicles at the disposal of the labour inspectors had broken down and that the reimbursement of travelling expenses to labour inspectors was delayed. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its latest report that nine labour officers and 34 labour inspectors had been recruited in 1996, two vehicles acquired, travel allowances paid and that there were 1,139 inspection visits between July 1995 to June 1996. Noting the Government's statement that one of the Labour Department's prioritized functions is the need to enhance labour inspection activities, with a view to ensuring the effective application of the relevant laws, the Committee hopes that the Government will provide information on any further measures taken to enhance labour inspection, in particular by making available the necessary human and material means to ensure that workplaces are inspected as often and as thoroughly as necessary.

Articles 20 and 21. In its previous comments the Committee noted that no annual labour inspection report had been received and that the most recent one concerned the period 1973-74 and was received in 1980. The Committee takes note of the consolidated report by the Labour Department covering the period 1975-90, which the Government sent with its latest report, which gives some indications on establishment inspections, but does not provide all the information required under Article 21. The Committee expresses once again the hope that the Government will take the appropriate measures to ensure that annual inspection reports, containing precise information on all the matters enumerated in Article 21, are published and transmitted to the ILO within the time-limits set out in Article 20. Referring also to its 1996 general observation under the Convention relating to the practical guidelines for collection, recording and communication of reliable data on occupational accidents and diseases contained in the 1996 ILO publication "Recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases", the Committee hopes that the Government will report on any progress in this regard.