CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous observation and wishes to draw the Government's attention to the following points.

1. Child labour and labour inspection. The Committee notes the Government's response concerning the role of labour inspectors in verifying working conditions for children in general and, in particular, the working conditions of children employed in carpet factories. Moreover, the Committee has also noted the letter addressed to the Director of the IPEC (ILO) programme dated 22 July 1998, referred to by the Government, and the appended documents. In particular, the Committee notes the relevance of Circular No. 6/SIT, respecting the working methods of labour inspectors in child labour, addressed to labour inspectors to ensure full compliance with legislation and greater protection of child labour. While noting the efforts undertaken to evaluate the working conditions of child labour in Morocco, the Committee nevertheless observes that the statistics communicated are incomplete, in particular concerning violations observed and notices served by the labour inspectorate. In areas such as Meknes, Benslimane, Beni Mellal, Khouribga, Rabat, Oujda, Casa-H. M. Aïn-Sebaa, El-jadida, Casa- Derb- soltan- El-Fida, Skhirat-Temara, serious violations of child labour legislation have been observed whereas no mention has been made of sanctions imposed, as envisaged under Article 18 of the Convention, which would seem to indicate the absence of or a certain apathy amongst the labour inspectorate. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information on these points in its next report and to regularly update the ILO on the supervisory activities of the labour inspectorate with regard to child labour legislation and to transmit the appropriate data.

2. Annual labour inspection reports. Articles 20 and 21. The Government states that the information which should be included in the annual inspection reports, as required under Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention, is included in the annual report published by the Ministry of Labour, which, for technical and financial reasons has not been published for a number of years. The Committee refers to the 1985 General Survey on labour inspection and once again wishes to stress to the Government the great importance it attaches to the publication and communication to the ILO of annual inspection reports within the prescribed time limits. Annual inspection reports are not only essential from a national point of view to assess the practical results of the activities of labour inspectorates, they also serve to provide useful lessons for the future, information for employers, workers and their organizations, and to engender dialogue. Where annual inspection reports are not communicated regularly to the ILO, the ILO's supervisory bodies lack the relevant information to enable a correct evaluation of the degree of application of the Convention. The Committee notes the information to the effect that a centralized communication department has recently been created within the Ministry of Labour and shall be responsible for publishing an information sheet with the data required under Article 21 of the Convention and requests the Government to specify the manner in which the publication of the information sheet will give effect to each of the provisions of the above Articles of the Convention and achieve the objectives of the annual inspection reports.

A request regarding certain points is being addressed directly to the Government.